Ellie Ames 06 September 2023

Eviction fears affecting older renters’ mental health

Eviction fears affecting older renters’ mental health  image
Image: gcelebi / Shutterstock.com.

Every 16 minutes, a tenant aged over 55 is given two months to leave their home, according to new research by Shelter which unveils the toll of eviction worries on older renters.

The housing charity’s chief executive said it was a ‘disgrace’ that people who had retired or were planning to retire, after decades working in search for security, were left with ‘knots in their stomachs’ over fear of losing their homes.

As Parliament returns from summer recess, Shelter is continuing to call on the Government to push its Renters (Reform) Bill through, enacting its ban on Section 21 no-fault evictions.

Shelter’s research, conducted by YouGov, found that 28% of older renters, totalling 400,000 people, were living in fear of eviction.

A quarter of older residents said the fear was negatively impacting their mental or physical health – with 24% saying it had made them feel ‘physically sick’ in the past year.

Shelter’s chief executive Polly Neate said: ‘Older renters may already be retired or planning for retirement at this point in their lives. They shouldn’t have knots in their stomachs, constantly afraid that their landlord is going to kick them out of their home for no reason.

‘We hear from hundreds of over-55s who have worked for decades in search of safety and security later in life.

‘It’s a disgrace that so many are being stripped of a stable home by the gross injustice of Section 21 no-fault evictions.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Adult Social Worker Mental Health

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £52,767
Mental Health Social Worker
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Director of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer)

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council
up to salary max £121,445 per annum
We are now seeking a Director of Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer to play a pivotal role Hybrid / Kingston Upon Thames
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council

Principal Engineer - Adoptions

West Northamptonshire Council
£49,587 - £52,860
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Highways Engineer to join our Highways Development Management team at West Northamptonshire Council. This is a senior role leading on the assessment, negotiation, and delivery of highway works linked t Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Highway Operations

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 15 £63,002 - £69,103 per annum
As we begin to implement our new structure, we have an exciting leadership opportunity as the head of our new operations service. Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Trainee Roadworker Driver

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 5 £25,185 - £25,583 per annum
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking all aspects of highways maintenance and improvement works Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council
Linkedin Banner