Rental unaffordability significantly impacts biological age more than unemployment or smoking, a study found on Oct. 12.
Australia’s University of Adelaide and England’s University of Essex study surveyed 1,420 adults in Great Britain about tenure, government financial support, central heating, and location (urban or rural). According to the researchers, results are likely relevant in Australia.
It found that rented homes’ insecurity and unaffordability drove biological ageing, where tissues and cells are damaged irrespective of chronological age.
University of Adelaide’s Australian Centre for Housing Research Leader Amy Clair said as a result, health impacts should be essential in shaping housing policies.
“Policies to reduce the stress and uncertainty associated with private renting, such as ending ‘no-grounds’ evictions, limiting rent increases, and improving conditions may reduce the negative impacts,” she said.
However, some conditions, such as arrears and pollution, were linked with biological aging regardless of renting or owning.
Further, the researchers found that epigenetic impacts—the gene changes caused by behaviour and the environment—of renting are potentially reversible; therefore, health interventions for renters are “all the more necessary.”
The study was on an all-white and European population. Therefore, there are limitations to the results.
Victoria Needs 2 Year Rent Freeze: Greens
To protect renters from unaffordability, the Victorian Greens called on the state Labor government to implement a permanent two-year rent cap on rent increases.They added that the government should regulate short-stays as secure long-term rentals, enforce the vacant property tax, crack down on rental bidding, and enforce better rental standards, including energy efficiency.
It comes after rents are rising four times faster than wages but could rise another 11.5 percent across Victoria during 2023, the Greens said.
