After years of worrying she could be asked to leave her home at short notice, 85-year-old Robina Harper says she has finally found the peace of mind she had been missing in retirement.
The former Marks & Spencer employee said moving into a retirement rental community gave her the long-term security she had struggled to find in the private rented sector after the death of her husband a decade ago.
Her story comes as ministers face growing pressure to deliver long-promised reforms to housing for older people, with many of the recommendations made by the Older People’s Housing Taskforce still awaiting action 18 months after they were published.
The taskforce called on the Government to expand the supply of safe, suitable and future-proof housing for an ageing population, but sector leaders say progress has been slow.
Against that backdrop, retirement housing provider My Future Living says more older people are actively choosing to rent in later life, attracted by the security of long-term tenancies, lower maintenance responsibilities and the opportunity to live independently within a community.
Ms Harper, who worked for Marks & Spencer for 14 years before retiring 25 years ago, moved from Kent to New Milton five years ago.
She initially rented privately before deciding to move into Homehill House, a retirement development run by My Future Living.
“I had rented before, but there was always that worry in the back of my mind that I could be asked to leave at short notice,” she told GB News.
“You never quite feel settled when that’s hanging over you.”
Everything changed when she moved into her current home, where she now benefits from a lifetime assured tenancy. A lifetime assured tenancy allows residents to remain in their home for life, provided they continue to meet the terms of their tenancy
Ms Harper says the difference has transformed her retirement.
Everything changed when she moved into her current home
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GB NEWS
“That’s what makes all the difference. I know I don’t have to go anywhere. I feel safe, secure, and completely at home.”
She also values the balance between independence and companionship that retirement living offers.
“It’s a wonderful place to live. You can be as social or as private as you like,” she said.
“I get on well with my neighbours, and we often enjoy a cup of tea and a chat, and sometimes that’s all you need to not feel alone.”
She also values the balance between independence and companionship that retirement living offers
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GETTYHaving built a network of friends in the local area, Ms Harper regularly visits the nearby New Forest.
“I love going to see the horses, it’s such a beautiful place. It makes you feel calm and happy,” she said.
“I feel completely safe, very happy and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”
“Now we feel like we’re on holiday. We go to the sea every day to sit and watch the waves or walk along the front.”
Retirement renting is becoming an increasingly attractive option for older people looking for certainty in later life
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GETTYJoanne Couch, Director of Finance and Operations at My Future Living, believes retirement renting is becoming an increasingly attractive option for older people looking for certainty in later life.
“We know that good-quality housing plays a vital role in helping people stay healthier, happier and independent for longer, while also reducing pressure on health and social care services,” she said.
“With predictable monthly costs, fewer maintenance responsibilities and the reassurance of a secure home, retirement renting allows many older people to focus on enjoying later life rather than worrying about their housing situation.”