Recent research from the University of Essex indicates that people’s experiences in private rental housing are associated with accelerated biological aging. While chronological aging progresses uniformly for everyone, biological aging varies based on lifestyle and exposure to risks, reflecting the gradual damage to cells and tissues in the body.
The study explored connections between the pace of aging and various housing and social determinants of health. A notable finding was that individuals living in privately rented homes tended to age faster than those who owned their homes outright. Each year of private renting was linked to an additional 2.4 weeks of aging, on average.
Health impact
Surprisingly, the research suggests that being a private renter has a more significant impact on biological age than being unemployed, obesity, or even being a former smoker. Specifically, the insecurity associated with private renting seems to be the crucial factor contributing to its effect on biological aging.
The study found no adverse effects for people renting social housing, where tenants typically have greater security of tenure compared to private renters. The focus should be on the insecurity inherent in private renting rather than renting itself.
This research holds significance for Australian housing policy, particularly as the social housing sector managed by state or community providers has diminished, with less than 4% of households now in social housing. Policy changes emphasizing housing security can potentially mitigate the negative health impacts associated with insecure housing.
Important role
The research underscores the importance of housing in public health, challenging the prevailing focus on individual behaviors like smoking and obesity. Policy changes that address housing insecurity, such as efforts to end no-fault/no-grounds evictions, can have a substantial positive impact.
The insecurity of private renting is not an inherent aspect of renting but rather a result of policy choices that prioritize housing as an asset, minimize the state’s role in housing provision and regulation, and offer limited protection for renters. There is potential for change, evidenced by discussions around ending no-grounds evictions and increasing attention to renters’ needs in both Australia and Britain.
The findings emphasize the need for diverse housing options, with social housing being a viable and secure alternative. The study supports calls for greater support for social housing, underlining the importance of ensuring that housing promotes good health for everyone, whether they own their homes or not.
