FAMILIES with children are now the most common tenant type in the private rented housing sector for the first time, it was revealed yesterday.

Survey findings from the National Landlords Association (NLA) revealed that 48 of private landlords rented to families, compared with 47 per cent to young couples without children.

Single person households made up the largest group four years ago at 53 per cent, followed by childless young couples and families with children, both tied at 51 per cent.

The proportion of families in the private rental sector has increased from 30 per cent in 2004-5 to 37 per cent in 2014-15, according to the latest English Housing Survey.

NLA chief executive Richard Lambert said that there is a stigma attached to renting in the private sector, as it is considered to be a “stopgap” until a family can afford to buy a home.

Renting offers an “inclusive and flexible option” for renters that is “not an obstacle to putting down roots and calling somewhere home,” he claimed.

But housing and homelessness charity Shelter said that the proportion of families in the sector has increased because of a shortage of council or housing association properties.

Chief executive Campbell Robb said: “Everyone should have the chance to put down roots in a long-term home, but our housing shortage means more and more families are being left with no choice but a lifetime of unstable, expensive private renting.

“Every day at Shelter we hear from renting families struggling as short-term contracts force them to move their children from school to school and fork out for expensive moving costs — on top of facing rent rises without warning.

"Things will only change when the government starts building homes that families on ordinary incomes can actually afford.

“In the meantime they must take action to make private renting fit for purpose by giving renting families the stability they are crying out for.”