Posted: 5th August 2025
Why Under-34s in Reading Are Renting Longer
Generation Rent or Generation Patient?
Why Reading’s Under-34s Are Taking Longer to Buy a Home
It’s no great revelation that young people in Reading are finding it increasingly difficult to buy a home. Rising living costs, modest wage growth, and stricter mortgage rules have all contributed to a noticeable shift in the local housing market.
For many under 34, owning a home feels more like a long-term goal than a near-term reality. But how tough is the situation really and what does the future look like for young buyers in Reading?
A Snapshot of Reading’s Young Home Seekers
Reading has around 67,686 households. Of these:
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Only 4.3% are headed by 16–24-year-olds
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17.9% are headed by those aged 25–34
Compare that to the national averages:
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2.6% (16–24)
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13.5% (25–34)
Despite the struggles, young people in Reading are actually more represented in household formation than the national average. But how they live tells a more interesting story.
For 16–24-year-olds in Reading:
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Owned outright: 2.5%
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With mortgage: 5.0%
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Social housing: 10.9%
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Privately renting: 81.6%
(Nationally: 3.6% / 10.2% / 22.8% / 63.5%)
For 25–34-year-olds in Reading:
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Owned outright: 3.4%
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With mortgage: 27.1%
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Social housing: 11.7%
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Privately renting: 57.8%
(Nationally: 4.1% / 35.5% / 17.7% / 42.7%)
The takeaway? Private renting is now the norm for young adults in Reading, while ownership is happening later — if at all.
Why Is This Happening?
The typical narrative blames house prices and low wages — and there’s truth in that. While the minimum deposit percentage hasn’t changed (still 5%), the amount in pounds is far higher than it was 20 years ago. All while renters also face rising bills and student loan repayments.
Mortgage lending criteria have also tightened, adding more hoops to jump through.
But here’s the twist: real wages today are 23.8% higher than in 2000, meaning on paper, people are earning more in relative terms.
Yet, the share of income spent on housing has gone up:
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In 2002, first-time buyers spent 24.6% of income on mortgage payments
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In 2025, that figure is now 34.9%
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In 2007 (pre-crisis), it hit a peak of 44.9%
So while young people are earning more, the cost of buying has grown even faster.
For more on how affordability is shifting locally, read:
Will There Be a Reading House Price Crash in 2025?
Changing Habits, Not Just Prices
In the 1980s, the average age of a first-time buyer in the UK was 26. Today, it's 31 — and 34 in London.
In countries like Germany, it’s common to rent well into your 30s and 40s. The upside? Buyers there often take on smaller mortgages and make more financially secure decisions.
It may not be the British tradition, but for many in Reading, waiting is becoming the wiser route.
Want to know how long homes take to sell today?
36 Days to Sell a Reading Home
The Silent Power of £9.03 Billion
Here’s a number you don’t hear much about:
Over-50s in Reading own £9.03 billion in property equity.
This silent wealth — built over decades — could soon become the stepping stone for a new generation of homeowners.
Whether through inheritance, downsizing, or family support, that equity could reshape the first-time buyer landscape in Reading in the years to come.
Curious about how downsizers are shaping the local market?
The Great Reading Bungalow – Why Bungalows Are Back in Demand
So, What’s Next for Reading’s Under-34s?
The picture for Reading’s under-34s isn’t bleak — it’s just delayed.
Expect the next wave of first-time buyers to be more strategic, supported, and selective. Cultural shifts mean many are content to wait until the right time, with more financial backing and clearer goals.
“Delayed doesn’t mean denied.”
At Bespoke Estate Agents, we understand this shift. Whether you’re a young buyer getting prepared, or a seller thinking of helping the next generation onto the ladder, we’re here to help.
If you're based in Earley or Lower Earley, you’re likely already seeing the signs of this generational shift in your neighbourhood.
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