Elderly face dire housing crisis as rents surge

PENSIONERS are facing a housing crisis as the cost of renting soars, campaigners have warned.

- By Jonathan Walker

There is a misconception that older people own expensive properties but the reality is that many are in privately rented accommodation, according to charity Independent Age. And older tenants face "unique challenges", including being discriminated against for depending on social security payments such as pension credit, as well as bans on pets, who provide essential companionship for people living alone.

Older tenants may also struggle more if landlords choose to sell a property, the charity says, because the choice of new homes may be limited if they are reliant on local services and supportive neighbours.

Morgan Vine, Independent Age's director of policy and influencing, said that the number of older private renters is set to increase significantly in the next few years. And she warned that many were forced to go to extreme lengths to ensure they could pay their landlords.