Older private renters in England are often overlooked. This briefing examines the private rental sector policy in other countries, and we discuss whether these ideas would benefit older renters in England.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Housing legislation in relation to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland sits within the devolved legislative competence of their respective governments. Scottish policy diverges from England, which we discuss in our briefing Homing in: How to improve the lives of older renters in Scotland. Policy in Wales and Northern Ireland are more closely aligned with policy in England.
Germany
Tenancies in Germany are indefinite, and a landlord can only evict a tenant for a few specific reasons. In 2017 the Institute for Public Policy Research found that all German tenancies last, on average, 11 years – compared with only 2.5 years in England. Assured Shorthold Tenancies in England are usually six to 12 months long – a cause of regular uncertainty for many older renters.
France
French housing policy operates against a backdrop of an ‘enforceable right to housing’. The right to housing is a right to access, and remain in, decent housing. In 2021/22 the number of people in England aged 65 or over assessed to be threatened with homelessness, or who were homeless, was more than 10,000. A legal route to being rehoused would be likely to give older renters a sense of security.
Ireland
Since 2016 the private rental sector in Ireland has been subject to Rent Pressure Zones. These are areas where rents are highest and rising, and where households are the most rent burdened. For older renters living on a low income in England, a policy like this could reduce the gap between income and rent.
Washington D.C., US
The District of Columbia, US, outlaws housing discrimination on the basis of source of income. Source of income includes payments from federal and local programmes. The English counterpart to these is benefits. In the English letting market, these are often called Department for Social Security (DSS) payments. Older renters in England who get DSS payments can face prejudice from letting agents and landlords. Banning discrimination on these grounds could expand the housing options for thousands of older private renters.
Portugal
The Portuguese Government introduced new protections to stop landlords evicting vulnerable tenants. This includes those aged 65 or over who have been living in their home for at least 15 years. The proportion of older renters in England is likely to grow over the coming years. So, the Portuguese Government’s decision to protect older renters may be a standard for future English policymaking.
New Zealand
The needs of England’s older private renters are under-researched. In New Zealand, this exploration is more advanced. Scholars have been researching the experiences of New Zealand’s older renters since 2017, which has made the needs of older renters central to policymaking. In England, we must continue to improve our understanding and collective knowledge of the needs of older private renters. Only then can we begin to include them in English policymaking.
What is Independent Age calling for?
Independent Age wants the UK Government to:
To read our policy recommendations for the Scottish Government, see our briefing Homing in: How to improve the lives of older renters in Scotland.
Have you been affected?
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this report, reach out for help. Call our Helpline on 0800 319 6789 to arrange to speak to one of our expert advisers. We also have a range of free housing information on our website. Our advice and information services are completely free and impartial.
If you would like to share your renting story with us, you can email our campaigns team, who are here to listen sensitively and without judgement. We won’t ever share your story without your permission or ask you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.
Want to know more?
Read our full briefing to learn more about how private rental sector policy in other countries might inspire English policymaking for the benefit of older people living on a low income.
You might also be interested in...
> our report, No place for older renters
> reading all our reports and briefings