Older and younger renters: share your experiences

Renting Across the Ages: A Shared Struggle?

The traditional notion of 'Generation Rent' has undergone a significant shift in recent years. Gone are the days when young people were the only ones struggling to find affordable housing and save for a first home. Now, people from all walks of life - including the elderly - are facing similar challenges.

According to the latest census data, England and Wales have seen a staggering rise in renting households over the past two decades. In 2021, an impressive 5 million households were renting privately, up from just 1.9 million in 2001. The number of older renters has also grown exponentially, with the number of 55+ households in private rented accommodation increasing by 70% between 2010/11 and 2023.

So, who are these renters? What are their stories? We spoke to those in their 60s, 50s, and even younger generations who have taken up renting as a means of survival. Their experiences were varied, but one thing was clear: owning a home has become an unattainable dream for many.

One respondent, aged 62, shared her struggles with finding affordable housing. "I thought I would own my own home by now," she said. "But the prices are just too high. I've been renting for years, and it's not getting any cheaper." Another younger renter, 28, echoed similar sentiments. "Renting is just not sustainable in my area," he said. "I'm working hard, but I'm not making ends meet. It feels like the system is stacked against me."

For many, renting has become a temporary solution, rather than a long-term plan. But what about hope for the future? Will they ever be able to afford a home of their own? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, these renters continue to face challenges such as rising rents, limited availability of affordable housing, and uncertainty about the future. They are not alone in this struggle. If you're a renter across any age group, we want to hear your story. Share your experiences with us, and let's shed some light on this pressing issue affecting so many people.

I feel for these renters especially the 62-year-old lady who's been renting for years... it's heartbreaking that she still can't afford a home of her own. The prices are crazy! And I get it, working hard isn't making ends meet anymore... it's like the system is just not designed to help people achieve their dreams. But on the flip side, maybe this shift in housing trends could lead to more innovative solutions? Like shared ownership or community land trusts? We need to think outside the box here!

Ugh, it's like the system is designed to keep us all in a never-ending cycle of rent payments . I mean, I've seen people my mom's age struggling to find affordable housing, and now the whole country's catching up on this 'generation rent' thing? It's wild. People are literally renting at 60+ years old... that's just not right . What's next, paying for a retirement home at 30? At least we can all agree that the prices are ridiculous and the system is broken .

I'm low-key worried about this whole renting thing . It's not just the 20-somethings who are struggling anymore - I've got friends in their 50s and even my parents who are renting because they can't afford to buy a place . The prices are crazy high, and it feels like no matter how hard you work, you're still gonna be stuck renting. I've seen some of my mates who own homes in other parts of the country move here for work and now they're struggling to find places that won't break the bank . It's like the system is just not set up to support people anymore .

omg u know i wasnt always gonna be able to afford a house like ppl are doin rn they r talking about gen rent but its not just 20 somethings its literally ppl from all ages its sad tho cuz i feel like thats the dream for everyone theres this 1 lady who's like 62 and shes been renting fer years lol u cant even get a house in ur 60s i mean whats the point of even havin a home if ur just gonna pay thru the nose rent? anywayz its nice that ppl r willin to share ther stories n maybe we can figger out a way 2 make homes more affordable fer everyone

I gotta say, it's wild that renting has become such a thing for people of all ages . I mean, what happened to the idea that you'd grow up, get a stable job, and buy a house? Now, it feels like everyone's just trying to survive from one month to the next. 5 million households in England are renting privately? That's crazy . And the elderly are getting hit hard too - I've seen people my own mom's age (she's not old or anything ) struggling to afford housing because it's just too expensive.

It's no wonder that renting has become a temporary solution for so many people. But what about hope? When are things gonna get better? The government's always talking about affordable housing, but when do we see real change? Until then, I guess these renters will just keep on struggling.

I'm seeing so much inequality when it comes to housing affordability . The prices are just too high and the system is stacked against a lot of people. I mean, 70% increase in older renters? That's not fair! We need some serious policy changes to make homeownership more accessible to everyone . And what about the younger generation? They're being forced into renting because they can't afford to buy due to insane prices and lack of affordable options. It's like the world has turned upside down, man . We need some collective action to address this issue before it gets out of hand .

Wow People struggling with renting is like a big deal right now! The numbers are crazy and it's not just young people anymore... interesting

I'm totally with these people struggling to find affordable housing . I mean, 5 million households renting privately in England & Wales? That's crazy! And it's not just the young folks who are affected - our elderly citizens are also facing similar challenges . It's like the whole system is broken. I've been seeing this trend of older people having to downsize or move in with family because they can't afford rent/mortgage anymore . What really gets me is when you talk about hope for the future - it feels like no one knows what's going on anymore . Do we need some sort of government intervention? Or is this just a matter of supply & demand gone wrong? I don't have all the answers, but I know that renting shouldn't be a struggle at any age .

I'm literally so sad to hear that owning a home has become an unattainable dream for so many people! It's like, what even is the point of working hard if we can't afford to put down roots in our own community? I feel for all these renters who are struggling to make ends meet and finding affordable housing is like searching for a needle in a haystack. But you know what? We gotta keep on keeping on and support each other! If we share our stories and raise awareness, maybe someone can come up with a solution that works for everyone. Let's keep the vibes positive and uplift each other, fam!

can't believe how hard it is for ppl of all ages to find affordable housing like, 62 years old can't even own a home because prices are just too high?! that's messed up! and what about the younger gen? they're working hard but can't make ends meet because renting is not sustainable in their area anyway, i think it's great that ppl are speaking out about this issue... maybe we can come together to find some solutions

I don't think it's fair to say that the system is stacked against renters. I mean, sure, housing prices have gone up a lot in recent years, but what about the people who are choosing to rent instead of buying? They're making conscious decisions based on their own financial situations and priorities

I've spoken to some friends who are in their 30s and 40s who would love to own a home, but they just can't afford it right now. Maybe that's not the fault of the system, maybe that's just a reality of being young and having student loans or other financial commitments

And what about the benefits of renting? You get to experience different neighborhoods and lifestyles without making a long-term commitment. It's all about finding what works for you, right?

Ugh, I'm so done with the state of housing rn... It's like they just forgot that everyone needs a place to call home, not just young bucks trying to save up for a mortgage These 62-yr-old ladies who are still renting? I feel bad for them. They've got kids and grandkids, but can't even get on the property ladder. And what about all these young folks in their 20s who are struggling too? It's like the system is literally broken Renting across the ages isn't just a thing, it's a way of life now. We need some serious reform ASAP

I'm getting so frustrated, it feels like the system is indeed stacked against renters of all ages! Like, what happened to affordable housing? It's not just young folks struggling, my 62-yr-old neighbor is paying through the nose just to keep a roof over her head. And don't even get me started on the uncertainty... it's like they're living in limbo. I've seen so many stories of people working multiple jobs just to make ends meet, but still can't afford a place to call their own. It's time for some serious change!

I feel like renting is just getting out of hand . Like, I get it, housing prices are crazy high and all, but it's not fair that we're seeing more and more people - including the elderly! - struggling to make ends meet. 5 million households in England alone? That's a lot of people who can't even afford their own homes . And what really gets me is how it's not just about the price, but also about the uncertainty. Are they gonna be able to stay in that home long-term? Will rents keep going up? It's stressful for anyone trying to plan for the future .

Renting can be such a drag when all you wanna do is put down roots . I mean, I know I've been fortunate enough to own my home for most of my life, but hearing those stories from folks in their 50s and 60s is really hitting close to home. It's like, what happened to the idea that with hard work and saving, you'd be able to achieve the dream of homeownership? The numbers are staggering - 5 million households renting privately in 2021? That's crazy! And it's not just about affordability, it's about security and stability. I get chills thinking about all those people living from one rental to another without a safety net . We need to find a way to make affordable housing a reality for everyone, regardless of age .

I'm totally frustrated when I see all these young folks struggling to find affordable housing . It's not just about them though, it's about our grandparents too! They deserve a safe place to live without breaking the bank . The fact that 70% more older renters are taking up private rented accommodation is crazy to think about. What happened to the dream of owning a home? I feel like we're just renting ourselves into a never-ending cycle . We need to talk about this more and come up with solutions that work for everyone, not just the government .

I'm low-key worried about all these 40+ year olds struggling to find affordable housing lol . I mean, what even is the point of working hard if you can't afford a decent place to live? It's like the system is just set up against people who aren't wealthy or young no caps.

I feel for those older folks having to rent just because they can't afford to buy. What about retirement homes and stuff? Don't we have enough options now? It's wild that it's not just the youth who are struggling with this anymore, but also the whole age spectrum.

We need more affordable housing options like ASAP . I don't think anyone should be forced to rent at 60 or any older just because they can't afford a house in their prime years of life. It's time for some serious change, you know?

Ugh, I'm literally so over the housing prices! It's like, what's going on with our economy?! I've got friends who are in their 50s and still renting because they can't afford a home. And it's not just them, it's people from all walks of life - young folks, oldies too . I mean, we're supposed to be living our best lives by now, but instead we're stuck struggling to make ends meet. It's so unfair! Can't we just figure out a way to make housing affordable for everyone?!

I'm seeing this trend everywhere - it's not just the young folks struggling to get their foot in the door anymore. It's like the whole spectrum of age groups is feeling the pinch when it comes to affordable housing. And can we talk about how unaffordable home prices have become? It's crazy that someone who's been renting for years (like this 62-year-old lady) still can't afford to own a home. The system is indeed stacked against them, but what are the root causes of these rising rents and limited affordable housing options? We need more than just sympathy stories - we need systemic change