Ahead of the Second Reading of the Renters’ Rights Bill in Parliament next week, new polling commissioned by older people’s charity Independent Age is highlighting that almost one in five (18%) older tenants feel uncomfortable raising concerns with their landlords. Older renters report that fear of eviction or rent increases prevents them from speaking up.1
However, research for Independent Age shows there is support from landlords for tighter controls to create a level playing field for older renters and improve the quality of homes. Polling by YouGov revealed that 87% of landlords believed rules should be in place to ensure rented homes are free from damp and mould.1
Over a quarter of older renters in England live in ‘non-decent homes’, which fail to meet the Decent Homes Standard, according to the UK Government’s English Housing Survey.2 This includes failing to be warm enough, or failing to be in a reasonable state of repair.
Independent Age’s data also shows that:
- 97% of landlords agree that rules should be in place to ensure private rented homes are free from hazards.
- More than four in every five landlords (81%) agree that rules should be in place to ensure homes are adequately insulated and have working central heating.
The data follows calls from Independent Age for the UK Government to use the Renters’ Rights Bill to apply a Decent Homes Standard in the private rented sector. This will set clear and enforceable standards for safe homes, and provide local authorities with the powers and resources to undertake enforcement action.
Scared to ‘rock the boat’
Older renters have shared how they feel regarding issues with their accommodation, citing desperate feelings of “living in fear of causing your landlord to get fed up with you.” One older renter said; “I just feel like I'm always walking on eggshells when I'm talking to or referring to my landlord.”
Joanna Elson, Chief Executive at Independent Age, said: “With one in four older renters living in a non-decent home, it is clear that urgent action is required to improve living standards for older renters who are scared to ’rock the boat’ with their landlords. There is support from both landlords and tenants for stronger rules, which will be especially important for older renters who face intolerable pressures on their physical and mental health from living in a home in poor condition.
“The Renters’ Rights Bill - while not the only action that is needed - provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-set the relationship between landlords and older renters so that it is more balanced. We are calling on the UK Government to act with urgency to support older private renters, and ensure landlords are providing the safe homes they so desperately need.”
The Renters’ Rights Bill must urgently be brought into law
Independent Age is calling for the UK Government to act with urgency to pass a Renters’ Rights Bill that will protect and improve the lives of older renters. To make a significant difference, the Bill must:
- Outlaw Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions to ensure that tenants have more security and freedom from the fear of being evicted without a fair reason.
- Enforce a Decent Homes Standard in the private rented sector. There must be clear standards for safe homes, and local authorities must have the powers and resources to undertake enforcement action.
- Introduce Awaab’s Law in the private rented sector, forcing landlords to act when a tenant complains about damp, mould and other hazards in their home.
- Introduce an Ombudsman for the private rented sector, providing an effective route for redress for all renters.
- Prevent discrimination against older renters on low incomes by outlawing discrimination against tenants in receipt of benefits, and capping upfront payments at one month’s rent.
- Establish a database of information about private rented property, their standards and state of repair, mobility and disability access, rent levels, as well as landlord information.
- Cap in-tenancy rent increases to give tenants more security and empowerment to request quality improvements in their homes.
ENDS
Note to Editors
For media enquiries, please contact Jonny Girling at independentage@luther.co.uk or phone 07799 638605.
- Polling was conducted by YouGov on behalf of Independent Age, Between 16th and 24th May 2024 1066 landlords in England were surveyed online. Results were weighted to be representative of all landlords in England (aged 18+). A further poll carried out between 16th – 23rd May 2024 surveyed 542 private renters aged 65 and over. Results have been weighted to be representative of private renters in England aged 67 and over who rent privately.
- Statistics from the English Housing Survey are drawn from the 2022-2023 survey published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - English Housing Survey 2022 to 2023: headline report - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)