Record levels of retirees paying rent according to Countrywide

According to the latest figures from Countrywide’s Monthly Letting Index retirees in Britain spent a record £3.7bn in rent in the last 12 months, an increase of 216% ( £1.2bn) paid by retirees ten years previous, it reveals that retired people make up 8% of all tenants.

The index reveals that London has the least number of retirees renting properties while Wales accounts for the biggest proportion of the population.

Johnny Morris, research director at Countrywide, said: “The rental market can no longer be typified by the image of carefree, young professionals. More than half of tenants are over 30 and the number of pensioners renting has reached record levels. With younger generations growing up much less likely to be homeowners, tenants are getting older with an ever more diverse group of people calling the rented sector home.

“Seven consecutive months of falling rents in the capital are starting to show signs of rippling out across the country with rents down in over half of regions outside London. The number of homes on the market remains well up on last years’ levels, softening rental growth.”

Countrywide Monthly Letting Index.

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Housing Insight Report: April 2026

Despite wider economic uncertainty and inflation remaining above target, the housing market continues to demonstrate resilience. Within the rental market, demand continues to significantly outstrip available supply. Sales 1. In April 2026, stock levels showed a marginal increase with an overall average of 43 properties for sale at each member branch. 2. The average number…
Read More
Damaged timber from Dry Rot
Breaking News

Stop managing damp. Start managing risk

The next phase of Awaab’s Law isn’t about repairs. The question regulators will ask is whether you can prove what you knew, and when. Housing providers, operators and agents are being warned not to view Awaab’s Law solely through the lens of damp and mould, as new requirements coming into force later this year expand…
Read More
Estate Agents should not all look the same
Estate Agent Talk

Biggest challenges facing agents is generating motivated buyer leads

The latest research by GetAgent has revealed that while seller activity remains relatively resilient across the UK housing market, growing buyer hesitation is weighing on overall market momentum, creating a more challenging environment for estate agents. The survey of UK estate agents, commissioned by GetAgent, examined current market conditions, lead quality, business investment and expectations…
Read More
Breaking News

Against all odds, recovery remains on track

Glenigan’s Summer 2026 Construction Forecast indicates sector resurgence in 2027, despite a painful start to the year Construction sector set to rebound by 13% over the course of the Forecast period (2026-2028) as economic conditions improve Significant value gains expected for offices, industrial, public sector and civils verticals Private and social housebuilding predicted to rally…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Manchester tops decade of property price growth with London bottom

New long-term analysis from the UK’s largest property platform Rightmove reveals that Manchester is the fastest growing city for prices over the last 10 years, while London is the slowest The average asking price for a home in Manchester is up by 63% compared with 10 years ago, by contrast prices in London are only…
Read More
Breaking News

Second home hot-spots hit hardest by property slump

New analysis finds second home hot-spots, as well as London, lagged well behind national average growth Rathbones warns of relying on property to fund retirement, with research showing that equity portfolios outperformed housing by six times Housing in areas with high proportions of second homes lost more value in real terms in 2025 than the…
Read More