Morgan Vine, Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age said: “Statistics released by the UK Government today show that, on average, older private renters pay over 35% of their income on housing costs. For those on the lowest income, this figure rose to 48%. Alarmingly, both these numbers exceed the ‘more than a third’ figure that research suggests means housing costs are unaffordable.
“It’s clear that, especially for those on the lowest incomes, rent is cutting into their budget to an unacceptable level. As older renters spend almost half of their income on rent, they are forced to cut back to often dangerous levels on other essentials, such as food, water and energy. Our advisers regularly support people in this situation regularly.
“While the Renters Rights Act will bring much needed rights and protections for renters of all ages, it will not address spiralling rent costs. The UK Government must urgently uprate Local Housing Allowance so it covers at least the cheapest 30% of the market. Currently, it has been frozen for two years, and in that time, rents on average have risen by 10.5%. With the number of older private renters expected to grow in coming years, this situation is unsustainable and must change.”
Notes to editors
Figures are taken from the English Housing Survey 2024 to 2025 age cohort statistics, published 14 May 2026 by MHCLG.
Figures reflect households with a household reference person aged 65 or over living in the private rented sector. Households on the lowest income refers to households in the lowest income quintile.
The Affordable Housing Commission uses less than one third of income spent on housing costs as their benchmark for affordability.