Propertymark has warned that suitable private rented homes for older and disabled tenants are not keeping pace with demand, with particular pressure around bungalows, retirement properties and homes that can support changing mobility needs.
The warning matters for landlords because the private rented sector is no longer only a short-term housing option for younger households. Propertymark says almost 867,000 households headed by someone aged 55 or over now live in England’s private rented sector, while older age groups are expected to grow significantly over the next decade.
For small landlords, this is not a call to make rushed or speculative changes. It is a useful signal about tenant demand, property suitability and the practical standards that may matter more as the renter population ages. A home that is easy to manage for one household may be difficult for another if access, layout, heating, repairs or location create barriers.
What Propertymark says is changing
According to figures reported by Property Industry Eye, Propertymark says the number of privately rented bungalows and retirement properties fell from 17,827 in 2023 to 17,225 in 2024, and then to 17,083 in 2025.
The organisation also points to uneven regional patterns. Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester were among the areas where listings fell, while Brighton, Exeter, Newcastle and Inner London recorded increases. The wider point is that access to suitable rental homes appears inconsistent, particularly in places where older households may want or need to move later in life.
Propertymark’s chief executive Nathan Emerson said the private rented sector is playing an increasingly important role in housing older people, but that suitable and accessible homes are not keeping pace with demographic change.
Why landlords should pay attention
The immediate landlord impact is about market understanding rather than a new legal deadline. If more older tenants remain in or move into the private rented sector, landlords may see more enquiries where accessibility, maintenance responsiveness and property layout are central to whether the home is suitable.
That can affect viewings and voids. Ground-floor access, step-free routes, manageable gardens, nearby transport, reliable heating, good lighting and simple maintenance arrangements can become practical selling points. Equally, steep stairs, awkward bathrooms, poor insulation or unresolved damp and mould concerns may become more obvious drawbacks.
This also connects with the wider property-condition picture. Here4 Landlords has previously covered housing hazard warning signs landlords should not miss. Older and disabled tenants may be more affected by issues such as excess cold, poor ventilation, pests, unsafe access or delays to essential repairs.
What to check in an existing rental home
Landlords do not need to turn every property into specialist accommodation. Most private rented homes will still be assessed against the needs of the actual tenant and the ordinary duties that already apply. Even so, a sensible property review can identify low-risk improvements and avoidable friction.
Start with access. Look at steps to the front door, uneven paths, external lighting, loose handrails and shared entrances. These are often ordinary maintenance issues, but they can make a significant difference to tenants with reduced mobility.
Then look at internal layout and repair records. Bathroom access, heating controls, trip hazards, damp reporting, window operation and smoke alarm placement are practical details that can affect day-to-day use. Where the home is managed by an agent, make sure repair reporting routes are clear and that urgent issues are not slowed by uncertainty over approval.
Landlords should also keep expectations clear. If a property has obvious limits, such as several flights of stairs or a very steep garden, those limits should not be glossed over in marketing or viewings. Clear information helps tenants decide whether the home is realistic for them before costs and time are wasted.
Adaptations and records
Some tenants may ask about adaptations. The right response will depend on the property, the tenancy, funding routes and the specific request, so landlords should avoid making assumptions either way. The practical starting point is to record the request, respond promptly, keep communication clear and take appropriate advice where the answer is not straightforward.
Good records matter here. Keep notes of requests, inspections, repairs, agreed changes and any professional advice received. If work is carried out, retain invoices, specifications and safety certificates where relevant. This is ordinary landlord administration, but it becomes more important when a tenant’s health, mobility or independence is part of the discussion.
There is also a supply-side question for landlords planning longer-term upgrades. A bungalow, ground-floor flat or easily adaptable property may have a different rental-demand profile from a home that is harder to access or expensive to alter. That does not make it suitable for every portfolio, but it is worth considering before refurbishment decisions are made.
A practical takeaway
The shortage highlighted by Propertymark is not something individual landlords can solve on their own. It does, however, underline a direction of travel: more renters are likely to need homes that work well later in life, and the private rented sector will be part of that picture.
For landlords, the sensible response is measured. Check whether existing homes are safe, well maintained and honestly described. Think about access and usability when planning repairs or refurbishments. Keep records of tenant requests and responses. And where a request raises legal, equality or funding questions, get proper guidance before deciding what to do.
This is an informational market update, not legal or investment advice. The useful point is that accessibility and ageing are becoming more central to rental demand, and landlords who understand that early will be better placed to manage their properties clearly and responsibly.
