ABSTRACT
The Second World War was a housing catastrophe for Germany, France and, to a lesser extent, Britain, creating large tracts of devastated or badly damaged housing in big cities. In all five countries building virtually halted for five years and after the war there was a chronic housing shortage everywhere. By contrast, in Britain and Ireland private renting has shrunk so fast that it is in danger of disappearing and major problems have emerged in the social rented sector as it attempts to house within its more rigid and uniform structures growing numbers of households no longer catered for in the private-rented sector. All countries accept the important role of private renting with its varied, often small, and local operations; with its frequently low standards and consequent low rents. It is often needed by newly formed households; by incoming job-seekers and migrants, by young people, including growing numbers of students.
