OAPs who rent at record level

AROUND one in every 12 tenants in the private rental sector is a pensioner, figures suggest.

Retired people account for 8 per cent of such tenants compared with one in 20 (5.2 per cent) in 2007, lettings network Countrywide found.

It said around £1 in every £14 paid by tenants comes from a pensioner’s wallet. And more than half (53 per cent) of pensioner tenants live alone.

The figures were based on Countrywide’s lettings index, and projected to reflect private sector renters across Britain. Countrywide spokesman Johnny Morris said: ‘The rental market can no longer be typified by the image of carefree young professionals. More than half of tenants are over 30 and the number of pensioners renting has reached record levels.’

The average retiree pays £810 per month in rent, 12 per cent lower than the typical tenant because they tend to live in smaller properties.