The number of owner-occupied households fell from a peak of 14.8 million in 2005 and 2006 to 14.6 million in 2008-09, the Communities and Local Government has found.

The English Housing Survey (EHS) Headline Report (which brings together two former CLG housing surveys – the English House Condition Survey and the Survey of English Housing) also found that 59% of all private renters expected to eventually buy a home in the UK compared to only 27% of social renters.

Couples with no dependent children were the most common type of household (36%) and the most common type of owner occupiers (42%) in 2008-09.

Overcrowding was highest in the rented sectors: 6.7% of social rented households and 5.4% of private rented households were overcrowded as measured by the bedroom standard. In contrast, only 1.6% of owner occupiers were overcrowded.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist said: “The latest survey provides further evidence that the proportion of households choosing to be owner occupiers is continuing to decline. The peak year for owner occupation was actually back in 2003. Since then