Number of Over-65s Renting Homes has Doubled Since 2011, Fuelling ‘a Ticking Timebomb’ - 09/12/2025

The number of people over 65 who are renting their homes has doubled since 2011, sparking new concerns about their financial security.There has been a big increase as well in the number of people in their 40s and 50s who are renting, analysis of the rental market by life insurance and pensions firm Royal London Ireland has found.The findings reveal the stark reality behind the housing crisis.Having so many older people renting is a ticking timebomb as most renters have little security of tenure and soaring rents leave them vulnerable to losing their tenancies.The study showed that soaring rents and the increase in older renters is leaving an increasing number of Irish households exposed in the event of a hit to their personal finances.Assistant professor in social policy at UCD, and member of UCD’s Ageing Network , Nat O’Connor, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.