The charity Independent Age reveals what it calls the devastating effect of the Housing Benefit freeze on older private renters. 

The charity’ claims 69% of older renters who receive Housing Benefit don’t get enough to cover their rent, so must make up the shortfall from their already-low incomes.

Independent Age is calling on the UK government to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance (LHA) in next week’s Budget. 

LHA, the mechanism that decides how much Housing Benefit is paid depending on where you live, is supposed to cover the lowest 30% of the market, but has been frozen since April 2024, and for eight out of the last 15 years. 

Independent Age unveils that, since the most recent freeze, average rents have risen rapidly. 

Data the charity has analysed shows that, on average, one bed homes have increased in price by over 18% in that time. 

It also conducted representative polling of older private renters, which showed that two-thirds of those in receipt of Housing Benefit had faced a rent increase in the previous 12 months, half of whom faced an increase of more than £50 a month. 

The report shows that, with LHA rates frozen, increasing numbers of renters are forced to make up shortfalls from fixed, low, pension incomes. 

Six in 10 older renters in receipt of Housing Benefit reported cutting back on heating, socialising and/or food.

The charity also claims that over a quarter of older private renters are living in homes that fail to meet the Decent Homes Standard, the highest proportion of any age group. 

They are also more likely to live in older, colder homes. 

Joanna Elson, the charity’s chief executive, comments: “Our findings show that older renters are harming their health by not eating properly or using the heating, forced to isolate themselves, or threatened with homelessness. 

“They, and renters of all ages on a low income, deserve certainty and security. 

“The Renters Rights Act was an incredibly welcome start to redressing the balance between renters and landlords, but the work must continue to make renting more secure and affordable. 

“It is clear that the damaging freeze on Local Housing Allowance must end. Renters of all ages will be looking to this month’s Budget for reassurance they will be able to keep a roof over their heads without risking their health.”