A growing number of over 60s in the UK are renting, according to new research from the Centre for Ageing Better[i] which highlights there are 414,000 older people privately renting, up from 254,000 in 2007. It estimates that by 2040 a third of people aged over 60 could be living in private rented accommodation. This rise in older renters is a trend noted by Girlings Retirement Rentals.

Gillian Girling, Chief Executive, Girlings Retirement Rentals, says, “We're receiving more enquiries from retired people looking to downsize from a family home and rent a manageable sized apartment in a specialist retirement development. Such developments are designed for older people and most come with assured (lifetime) tenancies.

“One of the biggest attractions of later life letting with Girlings is that we let properties on assured tenancies, rather than the usual assured shorthold tenancy in the open market.  The Assured Tenancy provides the security which enables people to remain in their properties for life, if they choose. Renting can make financial sense too, allowing people to use the capital from a home sale to invest, gift or spend. With renting, they also don't have to pay any property maintenance costs.”

The Centre for Ageing Better report suggests that private landlords, local authorities and housing associations need to do more to ensure housing is suitable for older people.

Gillian Girling says, “All our apartments are designed specifically for older people – they each have a 24-hour Careline, the fixtures and fittings are accessible, there is a house manager on site in the developments and most have lifts. There are communal areas where people can get together, and activities and outings are organised at many developments which are particularly useful for those living alone.”

Many of Girlings' retirement properties are in popular areas across the UK. The Sunday Times[ii] recently revealed that York was the best place to live in the UK, describing it as a "mini-metropolis with cool cafes, destination restaurants, innovative companies - plus the fastest internet in Britain".  Girlings has a number of apartments in York, but they don't stay vacant for long.

Other top spots include Chelmsford in the East, Mumbles in Swansea, Altrincham in Greater Manchester and Frome in the South West.

One Girlings' resident enjoying renting in retirement hotspot Exeter is Annette Setterfield, 83, who has been living in a one-bedroom apartment at Homecourt House retirement development for five years.

Homecourt House is a modern development with 121 properties over four floors, all served by a lift. It is located close to the city centre shops with regular bus services. To make life easier for the residents a service team is responsible for window cleaning, gardening and all external maintenance, and a house-manager is present during the weekdays to look after the running of the development. Each apartment also has a 24-hour Careline in each apartment in case of emergency.

Annette says, “My apartment has big windows with lovely views. I can see my church and I feel very settled here. I'm happy I was able to bring my cat Sweep, who loves sitting on the window ledge looking out.”

Annette appreciates the fact she is on an assured tenancy and enjoys the social side of living at Homecourt House and regularly spends time in the communal lounge and gardens with other residents. They have regular coffee mornings and sometimes use them to raise money for charity.

Annette adds, “I make jewellery for my church fund and I've recently taken up knitting again. We now have a 'knit and natter' group that meets on Wednesdays in the lounge which we all enjoy!”

Girlings has three one-bedroom properties available in Homecourt House from £575 per calendar month for a 3rd floor apartment and from £750 per calendar month for a ground floor apartment.

Just south of York city centre, Girlings has a two-bedroom apartment at Homeyork House available from £925 per calendar month. In Colchester, near Chelmsford they have a one-bedroom bungalow at Meadow Close from £950 per calendar month.

And in Wells in Somerset Girlings have a one-bedroom 2nd floor apartment available in Homechime House from £750 per calendar month. Wells is England's smallest city and not far from Frome.

All rents include service charges and property maintenance, plus the developments have a resident's lounge and communal gardens, 24-hour emergency call system in each apartment and a development manager. This is just a small selection of retirement properties on offer across the country. For more information visit: www.girlings.co.uk

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:

For more PR information, please contact Kathryn Hughes at Kayak PR

Kathryn@kayakpr.co.uk: 020 3865 4090 /07801 823839

About Girlings Retirement Rentals

• Girlings Retirement Rentals is a family run company, wholly owned by the Places for People Group, which deals exclusively with renting private retirement property to the 55+ market throughout the UK
• Girlings has over 2,500 properties in 600 developments across the UK
• Girlings lets most of its units on life long (assured) tenancy agreements, which allow tenants to stay in properties for as long as they wish, providing security of tenure.
• The services of the development and property maintenance are included in the monthly payments.
• Girlings properties are predominantly one-bedroom apartments. Two-bedroom apartments, studios, and a small number of bungalows and cottages are also available, all within purpose-built retirement developments.
• Girlings is a member of the Association of Retirement Housing Managers (ARHM), the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) and a licensed member of the National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS). For more information visit girlings.co.uk

[i] https://www.ageing-better.org.uk/news/english-housing-survey-figures-confirm-rise-older-people-renting

[ii] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-43448590