25% of people fear losing their accommodation and 90% feel new mortgage guidelines will hamper longer term prospects

Almost a quarter of tenants are living in fear of losing their accommodation, with the problem even more crippling in Dublin due to mounting rents and issues over leases, according to a new Housing Sentiment Survey.

The survey, which was conducted by NABCO (the National Association of Building Co-operatives), also found that 90% of those questioned believe tough new rules on the securing of mortgages will make it harder to buy a home.

According to the survey, one-in-five people are spending more than 40% of their income on rent, while a third of tenants say they have no formal lease agreement in place.

It found that 23% of all tenants are afraid of losing their accommodation, and in Dublin the figure is 38%.

In the capital 42% of respondents have experienced a rent increase in the last 18 months, compared with 19% in the rest of the country who have seen their rent increase.

Two-thirds of those questioned who live in Dublin believe their rent will climb even further over the next year.

There have been growing calls for more rent controls to help ease the pressure on tenants, while some charities have also said rising house prices and a shortage of available social housing is also adding to the difficulties faced by individuals and families around the country.

A quarter of all households live in private rented accommodation, but many want to move on, particularly to start their own household.

According to the survey: “13% of all households in Ireland have someone who is looking to move out and the main reason (68%) is wanting to start their own household. The figures equate to 215,000 people looking to move and a potential 150,000 new households. This figure shows the full scale of demand beyond the 90,000 households on local authority housing waiting lists.”

Lack of finance is cited as a major barrier to moving out and 41% said the shortage of properties was a significant obstacle.

The guidelines for mortgage lending, due to come in next year, are not viewed favourably by most of those in the survey.

NABCO chief executive Kieron Brennan, said of the survey of 1,000 people: “We’ve found ample evidence to show the full scale and extent of the housing crisis in Ireland and its impact on families.

“This research provides a compelling case for greatly increasing the supply of housing in every segment of the housing market in the Dublin region especially.”