The survey from housing charity Shelter also revealed one in seven, or almost seven million people have used credit of some kind to help pay their housing costs with payday loans, unauthorised overdrafts or other loans or credit cards.
The charity said the YouGov poll of 4,014 people revealed the spiral of debt that people fall into to keep a roof over their head.
A Shelter spokesperson said in the last six months, the charity has seen a “real uptick” in people struggling and using payday loans to make ends meet.
Shelter urges those struggling with housing costs to seek out debt advice early face-to-face at one of its branches, from its free telephone helpline or online at shelter.org.uk/debt.
Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said: “Turning to short-term payday loans to help pay for the cost of housing is totally unsustainable. It can quickly lead to debts snowballing out of control and can lead to eviction or repossession and ultimately homelessness.”
