Private Renting

With research suggesting almost a quarter of people over 65 will be living in rented accommodation by 2040, this curated page offers a range of Housing LIN resources on private renting and a number of related documents in relation to the private rented sector and housing for older people.

Are housing circumstances associated with faster epigenetic ageing?

This open access article in the BMJ on Epidemiology and Community Health reports on research undertaken by Australian Centre for Housing Research, The University of Adelaide, showing that living in a privately rented home is related to faster biological ageing.

Keys to the future: Projecting housing tenure and poverty rates in later life

This report from Independent Age, commissioned from the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE) shows that if trends continue, by 2040 the percentage of older private renters across the country could treble and forecasts the poverty rate in later life could almost double.

Paving the Way: How England can learn from other nations about supporting older private renters

This new briefing from Independent Age examines examples from the UK and abroad to identify policies and practice that could be adopted in England to improve the experiences of older private renters.

Homing In: How to improve the lives of older renters in Scotland

This briefing by Independent Age sets out why making sure that rents are affordable, that people are protected from unlawful eviction and homelessness, that a decent standard of accommodation is provided and that tenants’ rights are upheld is vital to improving the lives of older renters.

No place for older renters: How the geography of older private and social renters has changed

This report from Independent Age finds that the housing crisis is having a significant impact on people renting in older age, leading them to concentrate in deprived localities and potentially driving many out of their existing communities.

Older people in the private rented sector: NFH research report 2023

Renting in the private sector is the least secure housing tenure available. This research from the National Housing Federation looks at the trends relating to those aged 55+ who live in privately rented homes.

Hidden renters: The unseen faces of the rising older rental wave

This report, published by Independent Age, explores the precarious reality of renting in later life. Their research shows that older renters are at a greater risk of facing poverty. Many have limited choices and live in unacceptable circumstances, fearing risk of eviction.

Adapting the Private Rented Sector

The National Residential Landlords Association has launched a report and guidance to help inform landlords of the role they can play in supporting the UK’s ageing population and disabled renters .

Improving the private rented sector: A guide for councils

This toolkit from LGA is on helping councils and their partners to improve standards in the private rented sector. It is one of suite of new resources from them that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of tenants in the private rented sector, especially where there is evidence of poor housing conditions. It notes that older households in the private rented sector as an issue that should be addressed. For example, older people frequently need property adaptions to ensure independence and healthy living in later life.

Consumer Rights in the Private Rented Sector

This report from The Smith Institute shows that consumer protection for England’s 4.5m private renters is sub-standard and compares poorly with other sectors, such as energy, telecoms and financial services. It concludes that private tenants need greater protection and more power as consumers in the rental market.

Why older private renters need more security

This report from Age UK shows the individuals' experiences renting and their concerns about early eviction, as well as financial difficulty making it difficult to pay their rent and bills.

Urban Being The Future of City Living and the European ‘Beds Sector’

This report from CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang considers housing and demographic pressures in six key cities: London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, Manchester and Glasgow. Through a major census of almost 6,500 people, the report uncovers the preferences of consumers when it comes to their living environment.

Build to Rent can provide a blueprint for Later Living

Britain’s population is ageing, and with the current under supply of purpose-built retirement housing, scaling up a dedicated Later Living sector has become a matter of urgency. Luckily, there is a blueprint for growth and innovation on which this emerging sector can draw from: Build to Rent

People aged 50+ living in the private rented sector has reached a record high

This resource presents findings from an NHF report following a March 2018 YouGov Omnibus Poll that showed that the number of people aged 50+ living in the private rented sector has reached a record high.

Unsuitable, insecure and substandard homes: The barriers faced by older private renters

Independent Age have produced this report following the CLG white people on housing for older people, where it analyses national data about older private renters and compares it with that of homeowners and social renters.

Why older people need more market rent housing: new opportunities for older people, local authorities, developers, investors and providers

A refresh of our PRS briefings conducted by Housing LIN associate Jenny Pannell, highlighting the changes in market rent for older people following new developments in housing for older people.

Age UK London, Older Private Sector Tenants Programme

Three documents from Age UK London as part of their Older Private Sector Tenants Programme, giving advice through research and looking into the experiences of elderly private-renters.

Housing Generation Rent: What are the Challenges for Housing Policy in Scotland?

This report by the Centre for Housing Research University of St Andrews explores young people’s housing experiences within the broader social, economic and political context in Scotland.

Rental Housing for an Ageing Population (HAPPI 5)

The latest report from the APPG on Housing and Care for Older People focuses on the increasing numbers of older people in private rented accomodation.

The Missing Option? Expanding private/market rented housing for older people

Two new Housing LIN briefing papers by Jenny Pannell and Imogen Blood go into extensive detail into why there isn't more high quality housing for older people to rent privately in mainstream or specialist...

Private rented Extra Care: a new market?

This Factsheet No 32 explores the question of whether there is a market for extra care housing in the private rented sector, and if so, what role it might play within the spectrum of tenure and care...

Ageing in squalor and distress: older people in the private rented sector - Older people who privately rent their homes

This Age UK report revealed the reality of life for people over 65 at the bottom of the private rented sector. The report is based on frequent calls to the charity's advice line about problems with...