Sheltered housing: your rights as a tenant

Sheltered housing provides accommodation for older people, often with a warden or scheme manager and access to communal facilities. Understanding your rights in this type of housing, and how they differ from standard social or private renting, helps you challenge problems and get the support you are entitled to.

What is sheltered housing?

Sheltered housing (sometimes called retirement housing or extra care housing at its more intensive end) is typically provided by councils or housing associations. It is designed for older people, usually those aged 55 or 60 and over, who want to live independently but with additional support available on site or on call.

Common features include:

• A scheme manager, warden, or call alarm system
• Communal lounges, gardens, or other shared facilities
• Properties sized and adapted for older residents
• Peer communities of older tenants

Some sheltered housing is provided in the private rented sector, including some leasehold retirement properties, but most sheltered housing in England is social housing.

What tenancy type do I have in sheltered housing?

The type of tenancy depends on when you moved in and who your landlord is:

• Secure tenancy: older council tenants are likely to hold a secure tenancy under the Housing Act 1985
• Assured tenancy: housing association tenants are typically on assured tenancies under the Housing Act 1988
• Flexible tenancies: some more recent social housing tenants hold fixed-term tenancies

Your tenancy type determines your security of tenure, your right to succession, and how any possession proceedings must be conducted.

What are my repairing rights in sheltered housing?

The same repairing obligations apply to sheltered housing as to other rented accommodation. The landlord must keep in repair:

• The structure and exterior of the property
• Heating and hot water installations
• Sanitary fittings and water supply

In sheltered housing, the landlord additionally has responsibilities for communal areas, the corridors, lifts, communal lounges, and gardens, and for maintaining the alarm or call system if one forms part of the letting.

If communal areas are in disrepair, for example, a lift is broken, or communal heating fails, this is a matter for the landlord to address as part of their obligations to the building's residents.

What if I need adaptations?

Sheltered housing properties are often designed with older residents in mind, but individual adaptation needs vary. If you need specific adaptations, a level access shower, grab rails, or a stair lift within your flat, you have the same rights as any other social housing tenant to request these. The landlord should not refuse reasonable requests, and the council may be able to fund adaptations through a Disabled Facilities Grant.

Can I be moved or evicted from sheltered housing?

Eviction from sheltered housing follows the same legal process as any other social tenancy. The landlord must serve a valid notice, obtain a court order, and follow the proper procedure. You cannot be removed without a court order.

Some older sheltered housing tenants are on "licence" arrangements rather than tenancies, this is unusual but can affect your rights. If you are unsure of your status, seek advice.

Decisions to close sheltered housing schemes or move residents are subject to strict procedural requirements and consultation obligations. Residents facing a scheme closure should receive full information about alternative accommodation options and support.

What should I do if there is a problem?

1. Report repair problems in writing to your scheme manager and, where needed, directly to your landlord's repairs team
2. Keep records of all communications
3. Contact your council's housing team if the landlord fails to act, particularly for safety-related issues affecting older residents

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

We handle housing disrepair claims. If your sheltered housing property has disrepair problems your landlord has failed to address, call us.

Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.

Sources

• Section 11, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Housing Act 1985 (secure tenancies) (legislation.gov.uk)

Related articles

• Disability adaptations in rented homes