Households Renting From Private Landlords Rises To 15%

The proportion of people renting from private landlords in Britain rose from 10% to 15% between 2008 and 2011, the Office for National Statistics says. The General Lifestyle Survey found in that time the proportion owning a house with a mortgage fell from 40% to 35%. In 1972 - just after the survey began - 37% of households had central heating. It had risen to 92% by 2000.  Other findings suggest the proportion of one-parent families tripled since 1971 but it has been steady since 1998.  While the number of people renting increased in 2011 to 15%, the proportion of people renting was usually nearer 20% in the 1970s.  Read more on the BBC website.