Older renters have poorer health than homeowners

Renting is linked to poorer health among older New Zealanders, a new study concludes.

The study by Victoria University researchers showed older renters reported poorer physical and mental health than their non-renting peers.

Those in public rentals reported the poorest health. They had the lowest incomes, smoked more and ate fewer fruit and vegetables than private renters or those who owned their own homes. Public renters were most likely to be obese in the 55-64 and 65-74 age groups.

Even after the gap in incomes was accounted for, there was still enough of a difference in health to prompt questions about whether housing was a factor.

The study’s authors said its scope was too limited to delve into causation. It was unclear whether, for example, rental housing led to poorer health, or whether people with poorer health were more likely to rent.

Nevertheless, older renters were on the rise, often living alone on low incomes. There were important implications for future health and housing policies, the researchers said.

‘‘The potential impacts of this tenure revolution have only recently begun to be recognised in New Zealand, where superannuation policy and the aged-care system continue to assume high home ownership among older people.’’

The study pooled data from more than 15,000 older people in three health surveys. More than 83 per cent were owner-occupiers and another 12.4 per cent were private renters.