The harassment and abuse of older people in the private rented sector

Description

"Help the Aged" funded this exploratory study because of concerns that older people living in private rented housing were vulnerable to abuse and harassment by landlords. Drawing on detailed research with older people, professionals and landlords in six different localities, the report provides the first study of this important issue. "The Harassment and Abuse of Older People in the Private Rented Sector" presents the main research findings and: describes the experiences of older tenants with their landlords in terms of such issues as harassment and unlawful eviction, financial abuse and the lack of privacy and control; explores the important role played by the private sector despite the above problems; outlines the key problems created for older private rented tenants by the housing benefit and rent systems; and analyses the strength and weaknesses of existing support options such as legal redress, adult protection policies and specialist advice services. The report concludes with a series of recommendations to central and local government. These include the need for changes in such areas as the Housing Benefit system, the overall regulation of the sector and the support services provided for older tenants. The recommendations also cover the need for better access to justice for older people, improved funding and provision of advice and advocacy services, a wider variety of housing options for older people, and more training for professionals about abuse and harassment. This study is aimed at a wide range of practitioners and academics whose interests and responsibilities span older people and their reliance on the housing and welfare systems.

Dr Nancy Carlton is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of the Built Environment, University of the West of England, Bristol. Dr Frances Heywood is a Research Fellow at the School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol. Dr Misa Izuhara is a Research Fellow at the School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol. Jenny Pannell is a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of the West of England, Bristol. Tina Fear is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Continuing Care Adult Nursing at the Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of the West of England, Bristol. Professor Robin Means is Associate Dean (Research and International Developments) at the Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of the West of England, Bristol.

"This research report is timely and important. It will add to our knowledge and acts as a springboard for further research into neglected but central issues in effective social policy relating to older people, particularly those issues of abuse and neglect." The Journal of Adult Protection