Surge in pensioners renting expected as homeownership declines
1 month ago | 2 comments
Older renters face retirement homelessness fears
12:01 AM, 14th August 2026, 1 week ago
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Landlords are housing a rapidly growing number of people approaching retirement who could struggle to cover their rent once their wages stop.
An analysis by Sky News shows the number of privately renting households aged 55 to 64 has risen by 82% since 2008.
Continuing to rent throughout a 20-year retirement would cost the average household £461,460 more than an outright homeowner.
Moving to a one-bedroom property would still leave them paying an additional £374,690.
Retirement homelessness fears
Jenny Lamb, a policy officer at Shelter, said: “That is the ultimate worry.
“That people who can’t afford to keep pace with sky-high rents in the private rented sector will end up in a situation where they’re staring down the barrel of homelessness.”
She added: “We’re in the middle of a housing emergency.
“It’s been fuelled by subsequent government failures to build social homes and the fact that home ownership is so far out of reach for so many.”
Home ownership gap
Real average house prices increased by 137% between 1988 and 2025, according to the Centre for Ageing Better.
Over the same period, real median weekly wages rose by 44%.
The Pensions Policy Institute found that minimum pension contribution rates are insufficient to meet the additional cost of renting after retirement.
Centre for Ageing Better analysis also links renting with a higher poverty rate among people aged 50 and over.
Older renter numbers
Some 40% of renters aged 55 and over said their housing costs made them worried about becoming homeless.
The number of privately renting households aged 45 to 54, the age group following behind, has increased by 98% since 2008.
Around two million council homes have been sold through Right to Buy, while four in 10 are now privately let and more than 1.3 million people remain on social housing waiting lists.
The Older People’s Housing Taskforce said between 30,000 and 50,000 later-living homes must be built each year to meet demand.
Tags:
Landlord news, older renters, pensioner homelessness, Private Rented Sector, retirement housing costs, social housing waiting lists
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Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 86
10:45 AM, 14th August 2026, About 1 week ago
Everyday a landlord becomes a day older.
In the end landlords retire.
Tenants who have been with them for often very many years find difficulty finding alternative accommodation.
It does not take much working out!
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2295 - Articles: 2
11:23 AM, 14th August 2026, About 1 week ago
Reply to the comment left by Fergus Wilson at 14/08/2026 – 10:45
Not much for you and me, but beyond the ability of politicians.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 660 - Articles: 1
1:14 PM, 14th August 2026, About 1 week ago
strange nothing is ever said about the sky-high rocketing cost of service charge in retirement homes?!?! shelter what do you have to say?
Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 86
2:03 PM, 14th August 2026, About 1 week ago
No one in their right mind purchases a bungalow on a site with high service charges!
Many lenders will not lend on houses on an estate with service charges for freehold houses.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 660 - Articles: 1
3:53 PM, 14th August 2026, About 1 week ago
Reply to the comment left by Fergus Wilson at 14/08/2026 – 14:03
IF THIS IS DIRECTED AT ME not sure why you refer to bungalows? think you must have misunderstood. most retirement homes are flats. im talking of mcarthy and stone and similar with age restrictions. OAP’s are routinely exploited.
secondly service charges tend to start reasonable especially for new builds and then escalate exponentially.
thirdly we bought such a flat for my dad knowing that it had high service charge – we did this as he needed sheltered housing urgently as he was living alone and had been a victim of a distraction burglary. he urgently needed a safe environment and they all had high service charge. but money wasnt the prime mover.
Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 86
4:11 PM, 14th August 2026, About 1 week ago
In this neck of the woods many are bungalows.
Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 932
7:27 PM, 14th August 2026, About 1 week ago
In many cases people like me hoped that our property portfolio would become a family resource for generations, none of my children wish to carry on with the the threats and risk of being a landlord now. Nobody renting in the PRS should now consider themselves to have a home for life.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 660 - Articles: 1
9:57 PM, 14th August 2026, About 1 week ago
Reply to the comment left by Fergus Wilson at 14/08/2026 – 16:11
REALLY?!… DONT THINK SO. AND WHAT HAS YOUR NECK OF WOODS GOT TO DO WITH THE POINT ABOUT HIGH SERVICE CHARGES IN RETIREMENT HOMES?
Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 86
6:33 AM, 15th August 2026, About 1 week ago
Most retirement homes may be flats but in the rural area of Kent flats are not allowed and bungalows are.
Member Since July 2023 - Comments: 195
5:56 PM, 15th August 2026, About 1 week ago
Where have the 460 and 370 K figures come from.?
If measuring g rent vs a .mortgage paid off then,what about maintainance,new kitchens and carpets, re Dec etc that LLs perform.
If not included mo wonder the figures are so high.
A little more background info please.
This is for ‘proffessional’ people.
Not just clickbaiters