Introduction = 1
Rationale behind The Research = 1
Aims and Objectives of This Report = 1
Current Policy Links = 1
Definitions = 2
Research Methods = 2
The Structure of The Report = 2
The Development of The Private Rented Sector = 4
Introduction = 4
The Decline of The Private Rented Sector 1900-89 = 4
Growth and Change 1990-2000 = 5
A Tenure of Last Resort? = 6
A Profile of The Private Rented Sector and Its Older Tenants = 7
Summary = 10
Legal Protection, Legal Remedies and The Private Rented Sector = 11
Introduction = 11
Occupational Status and Security of Tenure = 11
Proposals to Reform Housing Law = 13
Legal Definitions of Harassment and Unlawful Eviction = 14
Legal Remedies for Harassment and Illegal Eviction = 15
Local Authority Powers = 16
Rent Increases: What Legal Protection Do Tenants Have? = 16
Summary = 17
Elder Abuse and Adult Protection: Definitions and Debates = 19
Exploring Differences between Emotional and Contractual Relationships = 20
Overlaps and Differences in Understanding Domestic Violence, Elder Abuse and Harassment of Tenants in Private Rented Housing = 22
Summary = 23
Experiences of Older Tenants With Their Landlords = 24
Introduction = 24
Harassment and Unlawful Eviction = 24
Financial Abuse = 25
Privacy and Control = 26
Repairs and Improvement = 26
Change of Landlords = 28
Relationship With `good' and `bad' Landlords = 28
Insecurity and Fear of Rent Increases = 30
Ignorance Or Unskilful Use of The Law = 31
Summary = 32
Living in The Private Rented Sector: The Impact of The Wider Housing Market and Social and Housing Policies = 33
Introduction = 33
Private Landlords and Local Factors = 33
Private Tenants in The Context of Wider Social and Housing Policies = 35
Needs That The Private Rented Sector Meets = 37
Summary = 39
Problems With `the System': Making Life More Difficult for Older People in Private Rented Housing = 41
Housing Benefit Administration = 41
Housing Benefit: The Way Forward? = 45
Lack of Age-specific Records = 45
Barriers to Access to Justice = 46
Summary = 47
Supporting Older People in Private Rented Housing = 49
Introduction = 49
The Role of Advice Services = 49
Tenancy Relations, Environmental Health and Home Improvement Grants = 50
Relationship With Landlords: Partnership Or Regulation? = 51
Supporting People: Towards a Wider Choice of Housing and Support Options? = 52
Changes to Housing Benefit = 53
Vulnerable Adults Policies: The Role of Social Services = 54
Summary = 55
Recommendations = 56
Re-introducing a Secure Form of Private Sector Tenancy = 56
Regulating The Private Rented Sector = 57
Amending Law and Regulation in Relation to Older Tenants = 57
Reforming The Housing Benefit System So That It Better Meets The Needs of Older Tenants = 58
More Training and Education for The Police and Service Providers = 59
Keeping Age-related Records = 59
Providing More Funding for Support and Advice Services; and Creating Specialised Advice Services for Older People = 59
Supporting and Planning Alternative Housing Solutions = 60
References = 62
Appendix: Key Informants = 65
Rationale behind The Research = 1
Aims and Objectives of This Report = 1
Current Policy Links = 1
Definitions = 2
Research Methods = 2
The Structure of The Report = 2
The Development of The Private Rented Sector = 4
Introduction = 4
The Decline of The Private Rented Sector 1900-89 = 4
Growth and Change 1990-2000 = 5
A Tenure of Last Resort? = 6
A Profile of The Private Rented Sector and Its Older Tenants = 7
Summary = 10
Legal Protection, Legal Remedies and The Private Rented Sector = 11
Introduction = 11
Occupational Status and Security of Tenure = 11
Proposals to Reform Housing Law = 13
Legal Definitions of Harassment and Unlawful Eviction = 14
Legal Remedies for Harassment and Illegal Eviction = 15
Local Authority Powers = 16
Rent Increases: What Legal Protection Do Tenants Have? = 16
Summary = 17
Elder Abuse and Adult Protection: Definitions and Debates = 19
Exploring Differences between Emotional and Contractual Relationships = 20
Overlaps and Differences in Understanding Domestic Violence, Elder Abuse and Harassment of Tenants in Private Rented Housing = 22
Summary = 23
Experiences of Older Tenants With Their Landlords = 24
Introduction = 24
Harassment and Unlawful Eviction = 24
Financial Abuse = 25
Privacy and Control = 26
Repairs and Improvement = 26
Change of Landlords = 28
Relationship With `good' and `bad' Landlords = 28
Insecurity and Fear of Rent Increases = 30
Ignorance Or Unskilful Use of The Law = 31
Summary = 32
Living in The Private Rented Sector: The Impact of The Wider Housing Market and Social and Housing Policies = 33
Introduction = 33
Private Landlords and Local Factors = 33
Private Tenants in The Context of Wider Social and Housing Policies = 35
Needs That The Private Rented Sector Meets = 37
Summary = 39
Problems With `the System': Making Life More Difficult for Older People in Private Rented Housing = 41
Housing Benefit Administration = 41
Housing Benefit: The Way Forward? = 45
Lack of Age-specific Records = 45
Barriers to Access to Justice = 46
Summary = 47
Supporting Older People in Private Rented Housing = 49
Introduction = 49
The Role of Advice Services = 49
Tenancy Relations, Environmental Health and Home Improvement Grants = 50
Relationship With Landlords: Partnership Or Regulation? = 51
Supporting People: Towards a Wider Choice of Housing and Support Options? = 52
Changes to Housing Benefit = 53
Vulnerable Adults Policies: The Role of Social Services = 54
Summary = 55
Recommendations = 56
Re-introducing a Secure Form of Private Sector Tenancy = 56
Regulating The Private Rented Sector = 57
Amending Law and Regulation in Relation to Older Tenants = 57
Reforming The Housing Benefit System So That It Better Meets The Needs of Older Tenants = 58
More Training and Education for The Police and Service Providers = 59
Keeping Age-related Records = 59
Providing More Funding for Support and Advice Services; and Creating Specialised Advice Services for Older People = 59
Supporting and Planning Alternative Housing Solutions = 60
References = 62
Appendix: Key Informants = 65