Charlie Appleyard, a highly talented tattoo artist in London, has rented all her life — at huge costs — and, though she is desperate to own a home, she faces challenges
A late millenial has lifted the lid on the bleak choice her generation faces — cheaper rent or “a safer area to walk home alone at night”.
Charlie Appleyard, 32, is desperate to own a property but, though she has had a meteoric career as a tattoo artist, she is struggling to be able to find enough money for a mortgage. Charlie has rented all her life and, although she budgets and is wise with her money, the young woman feels it is likely she will “live like a nomad” forever.
The self-employed tattoo artist said: “These days, my generation has to choose between cheaper rent and a safer area to walk home alone at night. Of course, I want to own my own home. I dream of owning my own home, making it lovely, having a garden and surrounding myself with my own beautiful things.
“But it is impossible. The main reason is cost – in the 1990s, a small flat around here would have cost £70,000 to £150,000 – now, it is over £500,000. Wages have simply not increased proportionately.”
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With elections this week, young people have stated housing remains a big issue likely to influence their vote. A recent survey of adults aged 28 to 43 revealed 26% have yet to become homeowners — despite previously assuming they would have by this stage — with 68% of those currently renting and 23% still residing with relatives.
Many of this 26%, such as Charlie, live in the Southeast of London where property prices are significantly greater than elsewhere in the UK. Charlie also commutes from Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, into central London, adding another large expense on her outgoings.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Charlie said: “I am feeling distinctly left behind. The only consolation is looking around and realising it definitely isn’t just me. But nor does it feel like a ‘phase’ or a ‘current crisis’. This is the way things are, and if anything, it is going to get more and more difficult. I think we may well be the generation of eternal renters.
“When I mention buying a home to all my friends, I get the same response — an eye-roll and a hollow laugh. I feel a bit as if I am living like a nomad — flitting from one insecure perch to another.”
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) reports Gen Z may never own a home. Young people today would have to pay six times more for their first home than their parents. Indeed, Charlie’s mother Diana bought her irst one-bedroom flat in Bowdon, south Manchester, when she was 25 for £29,000 and, at Charlie’s age, Diana and her husband Ross were owners of a four-bedroomed farm conversion in Alcester, Warwickshire.
But today’s first-time buyer has to find a deposit which is, on average, twice their yearly salary — £60,000. This is on top of the fact that the average salary — while rising, obviously — has barely doubled since the 1990s, from £15,034 to £37,430.
This is compounded by new research which shows only one in 10 newly built homes reaches the open sales market. Figures from estate agent CRM providers Alto, combined with ONS statistics, revealed the vast majority of new build properties don’t reach the open market for Brits to purchase.
