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, 69.5% of households in Dorset (M) were purchasing or had fully paid off their home, while 19.2% were renting. The mortgage share was lower than Regional Tas. (30.4%).
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
1,253
% of total
42.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,253
42.0%
-0.1pp
Mortgage
2021 count
820
% of total
27.5%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
820
27.5%
+1.6pp
Renting - Total
2021 count
572
% of total
19.2%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
572
19.2%
-3.3pp
Renting - Social housing
2021 count
93
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
93
3.1%
+0.6pp
Renting - Private
2021 count
466
% of total
15.6%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
466
15.6%
-2.9pp
Renting - Not stated
2021 count
6
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
6
0.2%
-1.5pp
Other tenure type
2021 count
121
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
121
4.1%
+2.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
222
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
222
7.4%
-0.7pp
Chart view
Housing tenure change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Fully owned
+61
-0.1pp
Mortgage
+85
+1.6pp
Renting - Total
-67
-3.3pp
Renting - Social housing
+21
+0.6pp
Renting - Private
-58
-2.9pp
Renting - Not stated
-42
-1.5pp
Other tenure type
+86
+2.9pp
Not stated
-7
-0.7pp
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 | 1,253 | 42.0% | 38.0% | 1,192 | 42.1% | 35.9% | +61 | -0.1pp |
| Mortgage | 820 | 27.5% | 30.4% | 735 | 25.9% | 30.4% | +85 | +1.6pp |
| Renting - Total | 572 | 19.2% | 23.9% | 639 | 22.5% | 25.3% | -67 | -3.3pp |
| Renting - Social housing | 93 | 3.1% | 4.6% | 72 | 2.5% | 5.0% | +21 | +0.6pp |
| Renting - Private | 466 | 15.6% | 19.1% | 524 | 18.5% | 19.6% | -58 | -2.9pp |
| Renting - Not stated | 6 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 48 | 1.7% | 0.8% | -42 | -1.5pp |
| Other tenure type | 121 | 4.1% | 2.1% | 35 | 1.2% | 0.8% | +86 | +2.9pp |
| Not stated | 222 | 7.4% | 5.6% | 229 | 8.1% | 7.5% | -7 | -0.7pp |
| Total households | 2,985 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,834 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +151 | 0.0pp |