Britain is facing a growing shortage of accessible rental homes as the number of older tenants rises sharply with Propertymark warning that the private rented sector is failing to keep pace with the country’s ageing population.
The professional body says demand for bungalows, retirement properties and accessible rental homes is increasingly outstripping supply, leaving many older and disabled renters struggling to find suitable accommodation.
The warning comes as the number of older households in the private rented sector continues to climb rapidly, driven by a combination of longer life expectancy, affordability pressures, later-life renting and declining rates of outright home ownership among younger generations.
According to Propertymark, almost 867,000 households headed by someone aged 55 or over are now living in England’s private rented sector alone. Government projections suggest the pressure is only set to intensify over the next decade.
FALLING SUPPLY
Households headed by someone aged 65 or over are forecast to increase by 22.1% by 2032, while households aged over 85 are expected to surge by more than 42% over the same period.
Yet despite the demographic shift, the supply of suitable homes is moving in the opposite direction.
Propertymark’s analysis found that the number of privately rented bungalows and retirement properties available across the UK fell again in 2025, dropping to 17,083 homes from 17,225 the previous year. Supply has now fallen by more than 4% since 2023.
The decline is particularly acute in several major cities.
Nottingham saw the number of available properties fall from 538 to 494, while Sheffield dropped from 202 to 166. Manchester also recorded a decline.
The shortage comes amid wider concerns over housing accessibility across the UK.
Research from the Centre for Ageing Better has previously warned that millions of older people are living in homes unsuitable for ageing safely, with many properties lacking basic accessibility features such as step-free access or adapted bathrooms.
At the same time, rising rents and a shortage of downsizing options are leaving many older renters financially exposed, particularly those reliant on fixed retirement incomes.
Propertymark said the lack of accessible rental stock risks reducing mobility for older people while increasing pressure on social housing and health services.
REDUCED CHOICE
Nathan Emerson, Chief Executive of Propertymark, says: “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.”
