One quarter of older renters expect they will remain tenants for the rest of their lives, a report by Threshold has found.

An increasing number of pensioners are tenants and the report found a significant minority, 42%, of elderly renters experience high stress levels because of the insecurity of their living situation. 

“We’re seeing this growing number of people renting, who are likely going to be renting for the rest of their lives,” Threshold’s National Advocacy Manager Ann-Marie O’Reilly said.  

“We can see quite clearly that the private rental sector is not in a position to provide secure, sustainable homes and that really came out very strongly in the research”.  

Many blamed the insecurity of their living situation for aggravating their health conditions and some spent over a third of their income on rent. 

“Lack of security of tenure, the landlord is permitted to end the tenancy on a number of grounds and, while it’s difficult for any of us who are faced with that move, it does become increasingly more difficult as you age,” Ms O’Reilly said.  

“The general facts of ageing may be that while you may still be up and about there is a certain frailty that may set in [and] health issues may arise.” 

Married couple pensioners man and woman go for a walk with Nordic walking sticks.

Welcoming the report, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said the Government had substantially increased investment in housing. 

“Housing for All is backed by more than €4 billion in funding, ensuring we can meet and even exceed the objectives of the Plan,” he said. 

“As people enter the so-called ‘golden years’ of their lives we don’t want them to suffer worry and stress if they are renting, we want them to have options.

“Rapidly increasing the supply of new homes, of all types, will provide those options.”

The report recommends the Government increase the investment in age-appropriate housing and develop a long-term plan for the rising number of elderly renters. 

It also said tenants’ security of tenure should be enhanced and the State Pension should be benchmarked.

Main image: Elderly couple in their 80s taking medication.