A growing number of over 60s in the UK are renting, according to new research from the Centre for Ageing Better.

It says some 414,000 older people in that age category are now privately renting, up from 254,000 in 2007. 

It estimates that by 2040 a third of people aged over 60 could be living in private rental accommodation.

Girlings Retirement Rentals chief executive Gillian Girling, citing these latest statistics, says: “We’re receiving more enquiries from retired people looking to downsize from a family home and rent a manageable sized apartment in a specialist retirement development. Such developments are designed for older people and most come with assured (lifetime) tenancies.”

Girling says assured tenancies provide the security which enables people to remain in their properties for life, if they choose. 

The Centre for Ageing Better report suggests that private landlords, local authorities and housing associations need to do more to ensure housing is suitable for older people.