Older renters in private rented sector face shrinking supply of suitable homes

Nearly 867,000 households in England’s private rented sector include someone aged 55 or over, as rising demand coincides with a shrinking supply of homes, according to a new report.

Research from Propertymark reveals demand for housing suitable for older people will continue to increase over the next decade as the population ages.

The industry body is urging the government to invest more in the private rented sector and support landlords in adapting homes to meet the needs of older tenants.

Supply of suitable accessible homes is not keeping pace

Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, said: “The private rented sector is playing an increasingly important role in housing older people, yet the supply of suitable and accessible homes is simply not keeping pace with demographic change.

“While some areas have seen modest improvements in the availability of bungalows and retirement properties, many major cities and communities continue to experience reductions in supply at a time when the number of older households is rising rapidly.

“For many renters, especially those with mobility needs or living on fixed incomes, accessible homes such as bungalows are not a preference; they are essential.

“Without greater investment in suitable housing and planning policies that properly reflect the needs of an ageing population, many older renters risk facing reduced choice, affordability pressures and fewer opportunities to relocate later in life.”

Rising demand among older people

According to the report, despite rising demand among older people, supply continues to fall, with the number of privately rented bungalows and retirement properties across the UK declining year on year.

In 2024, there were 17,225 bungalows and retirement properties available to rent, falling by 0.8% to 17,083 in 2025. This follows a broader decline of 4.2% since 2023, when the total stood at 17,827.

At a local level, some areas saw sharper reductions. Nottingham saw listings fall from 538 to 494 properties, Sheffield dropped from 202 to 166 available homes, and Manchester declined from 173 to 167 listings.

However, other parts of the UK recorded increases. Brighton rose from 513 to 566 properties available to rent, while Exeter increased from 417 to 446.