The Impact of Poor Quality Housing on Older People

At Independent Age, we hear regularly from older people living with the consequences of poor-quality housing. Whether it’s being plagued by mould, feeling the effects of the cold or battling disrepair, living in these conditions is not only bleak, but dangerous. Unsafe homes can cause serious health problems and in the most severe cases can even kill.

We’re proud to be part of the Safe Homes Now campaign, raising awareness of the problem and the need for a strategy to fix unsafe homes.  Our goal is to ensure that no-one in England has to live in a home that damages their health.

While the problem of poor housing cuts across all ages and housing tenures, at Independent Age we’re aware that older people are at specific risk of health harm from poor-quality housing, whether that be excess winter deaths caused by living in a cold homes or accidents and falls caused by hazards. We have focused particular attention on the situation for older private renters for three central reasons:

• The number of older private renters is growing: our research suggests that, by 2040, the proportion of older people living in a private rented home could triple, from 4% to 13%.  
• Private rented homes are most likely to be non-decent. Our own research shows that 24% of older renters in England have experienced damp and 27% mould within the last five years.
• Renters don’t currently have the rights they need to demand better. We found that nearly one in five older tenants in England said they were uncomfortable raising concerns with their landlord. 

As we reported in our latest briefing, older renters have told us they currently fear “rocking the boat” with their landlord, worried that complaints about the conditions they are living in could be followed by a section 21 notice or a rent increase that forces them out of their home.  

Right now, the Renters’ Rights Bill presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change this, providing private renters with greater security of tenure and protection from unfair rent increases. The proposed introduction of “Awaab’s Law” would mean all landlords need to respond quickly to reported hazards which could impact tenants’ health. And a new Private Renters’ Ombudsman in England should provide more effective routes for redress. A database of private rented properties and landlords should enable tenants to be more informed about the condition of properties they considering renting, as well as accessibility information.

Beyond the immediate opportunity of this important bill, we also echo the calls being made in the new Safe Homes Now spotlight calling for a cross-departmental strategy to fix unsafe homes across all tenures and recognising the link between health and housing. We also need a new Good Homes Standard applicable to all homes in England and the right mechanisms to enforce it. And a network of Good Home Hubs as a one-stop-shop for information and advice.

Together, these measures would provide the foundation for safer homes and longer, healthier lives - for older people, and for everyone.