Vulnerable tenants need support in renting safe and stable housing. These tenants, which include those low-income households, families with disabilities and health issues often face housing issues.
This can lead them to end up without a home. Here are some of the issues they tend to face as tenants and how better housing solutions can be put in place to support the vulnerable tenants.
Availability of housing
One way of supporting those vulnerable tenants with better housing is to make sure there are more homes available for them to rent in the UK. There needs to be more social housing with reports showing more than 1.3 million families waiting for social homes in England.
The National Housing Federation (NHF) found that some of the waiting list exceeds 100 years in some local authorities.
To support those vulnerable tenants, there should be an investment in further affordable housing. Developers need to be encouraged to build more affordable housing to help vulnerable tenants. When new housing is built, a portion of the properties should be for those vulnerable tenants.
Affordability
We discussed before about the housing market that private rents in Edinburgh reached an average of £1,393 in July 2025. High rental prices can prevent vulnerable tenants from being able to afford to rent properties. This often leads to poor housing quality and living, or even homelessness in some cases.
The high rent can often lead the tenants to spend the majority of their income on housing. With this in mind, there needs to be more affordable housing solutions. From shared housing opportunities to rent subsidies, both of these help tenants to have better housing solutions.
Rent subsidies can help the tenants cover a portion of their rent so that they don’t end up at risk of being evicted. These are given to vulnerable tenants by the government or a non-profit organisation.
This can help them to be able to afford a property that is in better condition and can stop vulnerable tenants from having to move away from their community.
Lack of rights and support
There needs to be more support for tenants to help them, as they are often unaware of their rights and what resources are available to help them when they are struggling with rent. This can lead to discrimination or eviction as they are unaware of their rights.
If they have a greater understanding of tenant protections, this will help support them with housing solutions. There are some tenant support clinics out there that can help them with any discrimination and conflicts occurring before they lead to eviction. It’s worth noting that legal aid can also come into play if there is a threat of eviction.
There are anti-eviction safeguards which can help prevent individuals and families from getting evicted. There are also certain limits in place to prevent rent increases, which protect vulnerable tenants.
In terms of getting more properties, there is support out there with a lot of housing companies putting the Housing First policy in place. This allows tenants to get homes without preconditions.
Some vulnerable tenants find they don’t get properties due to discrimination such as income level or disability. With this policy in place, it can prevent any discrimination from being put into play.
There are also incentives in place which can encourage landlords to provide housing solutions to vulnerable tenants. These can not only protect the tenant, but will also ensure landlords receive their rent.
One example of this is a rent guarantee, which can be a good option for those landlords who want secure rent while providing tenants with safety from being evicted. There is guaranteed rent for the landlord while it is sublet to tenants. This protects both the tenant and the landlord.
No more no-fault eviction
Putting house solutions into place can prevent those vulnerable tenants who may end up at risk of eviction.
Renting is changing with more protections coming into place with the Renters’ Rights Act. As discussed on the government website, from the 1st May 2026, renters will not be able to receive a Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction notice which leaves them at risk of being evicted. This will also stop rent hikes and landlords will need justifiable reasoning to get their property back.
This will hopefully provide a better and supportive system for vulnerable tenants.
