Housing Tenure and Residential Mobility in England

This paper examines differences in the extent and patterns of residential mobility in England across tenures and implications of these differences for policy. Of particular relevance is the extent to which the high proportion of social housing results in lower overall mobility, which may have negative impact on the economy. Equally there may be costs of immobility relating to household choice and satisfaction as well as to the effective use of the stock and neighbourhood sustainability. In this paper Survey of English Housing data are used to examine the patterns and trends in residential mobility across different tenures. Logistic Regression Models identify factors which differentiate recent movers from those who want to move but have not been able to do so. The evidence shows that mobility is heavily concentrated among private tenants and those living with family or friend. Social tenants are actually more mobile than owner-occupiers, although their moves are generally short distance. Long distance moves are more likely to be by young and professional or skilled workers and take place for job related reasons. Short distance movers are more likely to be about improved quality of life, housing and amenity in the new neighbourhood. Social tenant movers are particularly likely to benefit from improved services in their new neighbourhood. The evidence suggests that the social costs of relative immobility in the social sector are quite low and that potential social benefits of mobility are associated with neighbourhood dynamics arising from ensuring greater social mix.