Older-old people now experience difficulty renting a home in Tauranga City and the Western Bay of Plenty District. The problem is that rental properties are now unaffordable for people receiving only New Zealand Superannuation or the Veteran’s Pension.
Need for rentals will increase as home ownership declines
The 2013 census shows that in the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region, just under 10% of the 65+ group (2,820 people) are renting their home, most living in Tauranga City. While a third of those over 65 renting in Tauranga City and the Western Bay of Plenty are 75 years or older, most are aged 65-74 years, reflecting the national drop in home ownership. The age of people renting their home is predicted to increase rapidly over the next 10 – 20 years as home ownership declines.
Over three-quarters of older people renting their home in our region live in private rentals: a higher proportion than for New Zealand as a whole. Most of the 10% of older people renting a Housing New Zealand (HNZ) dwelling live in Tauranga City and nearly 10% of older people who rent, live in Council owned properties. Over three-quarters of those living in Council ‘pensioner units’ live in Tauranga City. They also tend to be much older with over half being aged over 75 years.
We need rentals accessible for all
Few rentals specifically cater for older tenants by providing accessible features or homes in good condition. That is, the design features of the house, such as heating, steps and bathroom facilities should enable people to maintain independence and age-in-place for as long as they wish. The most recent national house condition survey, which included a representative selection of rental stock, showed that rental stock is in poorer condition than owner-occupied stock, and that private rental stock is in the worst condition. As more people live longer, the challenge for all rental property owners and managers is to recognise that this is a ‘place called home’ and that the property needs to be fit for purpose.
by Carole Gordon Social Gerontologist.
Reference: CRESA and the AGEING WELL study Life when Renting 2017
