Housing
Housing tenure
About this topic
Housing tenure shows whether households own their dwelling outright, are purchasing it, rent privately, rent from a social landlord, or occupy it under another arrangement. It describes how households hold or access housing, not the type of dwelling itself.
This topic is useful for analysing housing markets, affordability, stability, and the mix of owners and renters. It works best alongside dwelling type, household composition, and housing cost topics such as mortgage repayments and rent.
Interpretation notes
- Tenure type describes how the dwelling is occupied, including ownership, mortgage, rental, or other arrangements.
- It applies to occupied private dwellings and should not be confused with dwelling structure or housing cost measures.
Key insight
In 2021, 73.7% of households in Dorset (M) were purchasing or had fully paid off their home, while 19.7% were renting. The mortgage share was lower than Regional Tas. (32%).
Section overview
Housing tenure
Dorset (M) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises housing tenure for Dorset (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.
Housing tenure snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dorset (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
Fully owned
2021 count
1,227
% of total
44.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,227
44.4%
+0.2pp
Mortgage
2021 count
810
% of total
29.3%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
810
29.3%
+1.8pp
Renting - Total
2021 count
543
% of total
19.7%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
543
19.7%
-4.2pp
Renting - Social housing
2021 count
94
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
94
3.4%
+0.7pp
Renting - Private
2021 count
447
% of total
16.2%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
447
16.2%
-3.1pp
Renting - Not stated
2021 count
6
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
6
0.2%
-1.6pp
Other tenure type
2021 count
110
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
110
4.0%
+2.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
68
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
68
2.5%
-0.6pp
Chart view
Housing tenure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Fully owned
+55
+0.2pp
Mortgage
+81
+1.8pp
Renting - Total
-91
-4.2pp
Renting - Social housing
+22
+0.7pp
Renting - Private
-66
-3.1pp
Renting - Not stated
-42
-1.6pp
Other tenure type
+75
+2.7pp
Not stated
-14
-0.6pp
Data table
Housing tenure for Dorset (M). Housing tenure. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | pp | |
| Fully owned | 1,227 | 44.4% | 39.5% | 1,172 | 44.2% | 37.7% | +55 | +0.2pp |
| Mortgage | 810 | 29.3% | 32.0% | 729 | 27.5% | 32.2% | +81 | +1.8pp |
| Renting - Total | 543 | 19.7% | 24.7% | 634 | 23.9% | 26.4% | -91 | -4.2pp |
| Renting - Social housing | 94 | 3.4% | 4.8% | 72 | 2.7% | 5.3% | +22 | +0.7pp |
| Renting - Private | 447 | 16.2% | 19.6% | 513 | 19.3% | 20.4% | -66 | -3.1pp |
| Renting - Not stated | 6 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 48 | 1.8% | 0.8% | -42 | -1.6pp |
| Other tenure type | 110 | 4.0% | 2.0% | 35 | 1.3% | 0.8% | +75 | +2.7pp |
| Not stated | 68 | 2.5% | 1.8% | 82 | 3.1% | 2.8% | -14 | -0.6pp |
| Total households | 2,763 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,653 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +110 | 0.0pp |