Policy Press

The harassment and abuse of older people in the private rented sector

By Nancy Carlton, Frances Heywood, Misa Izuhara, Jenny Pannell, Tina Fear and Robin Means

Published

Jan 29, 2003

Page count

72 pages

ISBN

978-1861344588

Dimensions

297 x 210 mm

Imprint

Policy Press
The harassment and abuse of older people in the private rented sector

Help the Aged funded this major study because of concerns that older people living in private rented housing were vulnerable to abuse and harassment by landlords. Drawing upon detailed research with older people, professionals and landlords in six different localities, the report provides the first major study of this important issue.

The report concludes with a series of recommendations to central and local government. These include the need for changes in such areas as the overall regulation of the sector, the rights of older tenants and in the housing benefit system. The recommendations also cover the need for better training for professionals about abuse and harassment, improved age related records and the need for improved funding for advice and advocacy services.

This study will be essential reading for a wide range of practitioners and academics whose interests and responsibilities span older people and their reliance upon the housing and welfare systems.

"This research report is timely and important. It will add to our knowledge and acts as a springboard for further research into neglected but central issues in effective social policy relating to older people, particularly those issues of abuse and neglect." The Journal of Adult Protection

Dr Nancy Carlton is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of the Built Environment, University of the West of England, Bristol. Dr Frances Heywood is a Research Fellow at the School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol. Dr Misa Izuhara is a Research Fellow at the School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol. Jenny Pannell is a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of the West of England, Bristol. Tina Fear is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Continuing Care Adult Nursing at the Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of the West of England, Bristol. Professor Robin Means is Associate Dean (Research and International Developments) at the Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of the West of England, Bristol.

Introduction; The development of the private rented sector; Legal protection, legal remedies and the private rented sector; Elder abuse and adult protection: definitions and debates; Experiences of older tenants with their landlords; Living in the private rented sector: the impact of the wider housing market and social and housing policies; Problems with 'the system': making life more difficult for older people in private rented housing; Supporting older people in private rented housing; Recommendations.

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