The private rented sector has seen an increase in the past decade, after three-decade decline.
Halifax's survey on the UK housing market noted its findings, which stated that the proportion of privately rented homed was 14 per cent in 2008.
This is in comparison with the nine per cent statistic reported in 1991. The survey looked at various aspects of the housing market from 1959 to 2009.
Some 33 per cent of homes were privately rented in 1961 - a sector that was larger than the owner-occupied and social rented sector until the mid 1950s, it was claimed.
Other changes that tenants may be grateful for are improvements made in housing quality.
In 1996, 0.2 per cent of households lacked an inside WC, a drop from the 14 per cent reported not to possess one in 1960.
Today (January 21st) the Guardian reported the case of Fred Cawood, 85-years-old, who told the publication: "I still find the outdoor [toilet] very convenient".
Written by Sarah Field
