Rents in Cardiff have risen by 36% in two years, and it’s a huge crisis for those who live in private accommodation.
Average rents for private homes in the UK have soared to record highs.
According to data from property website Rightmove, Cardiff is a rental hotspot with a rental growth rate of 14.5% in 2022, and compared with July 2019, Cardiff rents have increased by 36%.
A shortage of properties and rising costs for landlords have made rent increases unstoppable, and they are making life difficult for people living in Cardiff and putting more pressure on families already on tight budgets.
Eloise Berets has extensive rental experience. She says she has rented since 2013, shared with 3 or 4 people, and spent about £300 a month including bills, but last year, her monthly rent rose to £500 a month.
“There’s not the best luxurious place. Obviously, it goes up from there as well,” Eloise says.
Like Eloise, Kai Lloyd has also been renting a house in Cardiff.
“It’s nice and modern and costing us £800 a month. I personally I wouldn’t think that’s quite worth it, especially as have to pay bills and stuff on top,” Kai Lloyd says.
For many people who rent from a private landlord, rent is their biggest monthly expense.
Over the past two years, private landlords have begun raising rents at a faster pace than in previous years, while incomes have had to contend with other rising costs of living, from energy bills to food costs.
Adam Johannes from Cardiff People’s Assembly has lived in Cardiff for 25 years .
“The Welsh Government does not have powers to cut energy and food costs, but it does have powers to regulate private rents. We think it has to use those powers,” he says.
Now Adam is leading a citywide campaign against austerity and the cost of living crisis across the city.
The campaign is calling on the Welsh Government to freeze rents.