News from 26 May 2026
Propertymark has warned that suitable private rental homes for older and disabled tenants are not keeping pace with demand. It highlighted shortages of bungalows, retirement properties and homes that can accommodate changing mobility needs.
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.
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.
