Nearly Half of Gen Z Delay Rent for Holiday Spending

A survey by Accredited Debt Relief finds borrowers are cutting back on housing payments, savings and essentials to fund the holidays.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Spending

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a wrapped gift box beside a nearly empty glass jar on a cream surface, evoking holiday money strain. — Nearly half of Gen Z borrowers have delayed or skipped a rent or mortgage payment to afford holiday spending, a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults found. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you skip a rent or mortgage payment to afford holiday spending?

Nearly half of Gen Z borrowers have delayed or skipped a rent or mortgage payment to afford holiday spending, according to a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults conducted by Accredited Debt Relief. Many respondents are also still paying off debt from last year's holidays.

Why it matters

The findings suggest younger borrowers are prioritizing holiday spending over housing payments, which could lead to missed payments in the coming months. Lenders and servicers may need to respond early to limit the risk of delinquency.

Roughly half of Gen Z (about 50%) and 28% of millennials report delaying or skipping a rent or mortgage payment, compared with 14% of Gen X and 3% of baby boomers. The survey does not yet show how many of these delays have resulted in late fees or delinquencies.

The players

Accredited Debt Relief

A debt relief company that conducted the survey and released its findings on holiday borrowing behavior.

The details

Respondents reported cutting back on groceries and everyday necessities (19%), pulling money from savings (35%) and reducing retirement contributions (20%) to fund holiday budgets. Two-thirds of Gen Z and 55% of millennials reported actual or anticipated holiday debt.

Last year: holiday debt that 14% of Americans are still repaying was incurred.
This holiday season: nearly half of surveyed Gen Z borrowers took on or expect holiday debt.
January: missed payments are expected to become visible to servicers.
The next few months: lenders anticipate localized spikes in mortgage delinquencies.

Market Dynamics

The survey's age-based signals extend the New York Federal Reserve's Household Debt and Credit Report, which tracks delinquency by age cohort, into the holiday-spending context. Lenders monitoring that cohort data may see the earliest signs of strain in younger borrowers.

Borrowers who are behind on rent or mortgage payments should contact their landlord or servicer before the next due date to discuss options. Lenders and servicers can offer forbearance or deferment to borrowers who plan to miss payments.

The takeaway

Setting a holiday budget that protects rent or mortgage payments first can help avoid late fees and delinquency. Reaching out to a servicer early, before a payment is missed, often opens more options than waiting.