The private rental sector in Western Europe: Developments since the Second World War and prospects for the future

In the period after the Second World War, the dominant position of the private rental sector in the housing market in many West European countries came to an end. Economic developments and government policy both contributed to the greatly deteriorating competitive position of the private rental sector in many countries. Although there have been comparable developments in many countries that have led to a decrease in the share of private rented dwellings, there are also considerable differences between them regarding the size and function of the private rental sector in the housing system. There are also differences in the use of policy instruments and the volume of new construction of private rented dwellings. As a result of recent developments in housing policy in many West European countries the competitive position of the private rental sector has started to improve. Moreover, in a number of countries (regional) housing shortages are again occurring. For the private rental sector this perhaps means new opportunities.