Rent crisis: why is renting so bad in the UK?

From 1994 to 2003, 9 years, I spent an enormous amount of time energy and effort warning everyone I knew, as well as writing letters to the local and national newspapers, warning that this was the future the UK was heading for. All that happened was that I was laughed at an ridiculed. It even lead to my wife divorcing me because I would not stop campaigning. In 2003 I emigrated. I wonder if those who laughed at me are still laughing? These days, if I see the future I just keep my mouth shut. "Human-beings tend only to be motivated to make a change when they are right on the precipice of disaster." From the Sci-fi movie, 'The Day the Earth Stood Still'