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 in the UK, 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 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.

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.