Older homeless people and the private rented sector

The private rented sector is increasingly used as a move-on option for homeless people. There are particular issues however to take into account for older people.

The quality of housing in the private rented sector is very variable. 50% of lets do not reach the decent homes standard. 

• Older people are particularly vulnerable to poor conditions in Houses of Multiple Occupation.
• Older people on benefit and with a history of homelessness are unlikely to be attractive tenants to most private landlords and consequently do not have access to a wide selection of properties.
• Poor housing has a disproportionate impact on the health and well being of older people and increases their demand on health services.

Assistance with deposits and rent in advance and Housing Benefit guarantees, along with a contact for landlords if things go wrong, can help to improve the range of lets this client group has access to.

Statutory duty and placing in Private Rented Sector 

In areas of high housing demand local authorities are increasingly dependent on the private sector leasing arrangements to fulfil their duties under the Housing Act. Recent research by Broadway has concluded that long term quality checked  private rented sector accommodation can be successful for clients thoroughly assessed as having low support needs. It can be very hard to access floating support for PRS tenants with higher support needs.

A condition of placing older people with support needs in the private rented sector should be a thorough assessment of their needs and the proven ability to deliver tailored packages of care and support to help them maintain the tenancy. 

Increased regulation 

The move to increased use of the PRS has stimulated policy discussion about increased regulation of the market. Currently it has low priority and resources and there is little enforcement of measures to protect those living in HMO’s.

A register of private landlords is being proposed and Help the Aged have suggested a  special accommodation register of landlords catering for older people, highlighting e.g. properties with level access, walk in showers, space to store mobility scooters. This development would make it easier to locate older people living in the PRS and to target them with trusted and independent advice services.

Developing relationships with private landlords 

In some areas positive relationships have been built up with private sector landlords and support providers for homeless people. If a landlord knows that help and support will be forthcoming if an individual experiences difficulties in sustaining a tenancy or budgeting they are more likely to accept tenants on benefit and with a history of homelessness. Southampton City Council has a private rented sector worker who has built up positive relationships with private landlords and a number of their older formerly homeless people are supported in private tenancies.

For some older people the private rented sector or a general needs tenancy  is easier and more flexible than the expectations of conforming and socialising that might feel imposed in sheltered housing. It may also offer more choice of location if someone has a strong preference to be in a very specific area. However the lack of security in the PRS is an off-putting factor for some older people.

Further resources

The London Housing Foundation along with Off the Streets into Work (OSW) have worked together to produce Your passport to renting a private home. It is a short guide aimed at anyone who is making the transition away from homelessness or hostel accommodation into renting a flat in the Private Rented Sector (PRS).

Crisis have a website with resources for potential landlords, tenants and service providers including a database of private rented sector schemes all over the country.