Housing Crisis in the UK
The housing crisis in the UK can only be solved by building more homes, but this requires a significant overhaul of Britain's complex planning laws.
James Hanson shares his personal experience of renting in the UK in 2025, highlighting the grim reality of the situation. He recounts moving out of a flat in south London, where he and his friend paid over £1,000 per month for a damp-infested and poorly furnished property.
I used to fall asleep at night to the sound of mice scuttling around in the floorboards overhead.
Upon requesting their deposit back, the letting agent proposed a series of unreasonable deductions, including a claim that they had left the carpets dirty, despite there being no carpets in the property.
- The letting agent proposed deductions for a series of absurd reasons.
- The tenants were asked to pay for professional cleaning, despite no carpets being present.
Author's summary: UK housing crisis requires urgent planning law reform.