Shared living tipped to reduce financial stress and loneliness in over 55s

^{Photo by Alex Boyd on Unsplash}

A new report has found strong evidence to suggest shared living could be a solution to financial stress and loneliness in older Australians.

PRD Research found many Australians aged 55 and over, particularly renters, were struggling financially due to low incomes and rent increases. 

It also found loneliness affected both owner-occupiers and renters, with one in four Australians experiencing loneliness, especially widowed, divorced or single individuals. 

The report said shared living was already a popular arrangement for young people and if more older people considered it, it could result in new property asset classes. 

Buying a home or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest variable interest rates on the market for owner occupiers.

The report found renters were more inclined to consider shared living than owner-occupiers, but both could reap the benefits of sharing a home. 

"All participants that were independently renting indicated that splitting the rent and operational expenses with another tenant is an effective way of easing financial struggles and stress," the report said. 

"In comparison, the majority of owner-occupiers were less positively inclined towards the idea of shared living and were instead re-entering or remaining in the labour force in order to sustain their financial positions. 

"However, owner-occupiers have indicated loneliness as a potential reason were they to consider shared living."

Survey respondents who were already in a shared living environment said the main reason behind their decision was affordability, but the move had helped in a variety of other ways.

"Furthermore, since entering shared living, these participants expressed that their financial struggles had eased, reduced their isolation, and in turn was allowing them to enjoy retirement more."

Maintaining rent an "unrealistic task" for many 

Many study participants said they hadn't considered shared living as a way to alleviate financial stress, but were open to the idea. 

"Yes, shared living is something I would be open to if it was the right person. It can get a bit lonely sometimes, and reducing operational expenses would be a major help," a 65 year old female participant said. 

"Struggling to keep up with the rental market, still manage to afford but not satisfied with the current property. Would be able to stay in somewhere a bit more liveable if I had help with the rent," a 75 year old male said. 

Financial Struggles and Loneliness 

Source: PRD Research

The study found for over 55s, maintaining rent on a single, and often government provided income, was an unrealistic task for many. 

"In addition, studies have shown that the growing number of older Australians aged 55 and over in the rental market is increasing and that median rental prices have increased in recent years," the report said.

"This is a concern as other research has shown that the stress of not owning your own home can lead to poor physical and mental health."

Almost 60% of survey respondents said 'yes' to shared living, with the majority of these renters. 

Those who said no said they were secure, not struggling, or had a lack of education on the topic, something the report highlighted the need for greater awareness on. 

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Disclaimers

The entire market was not considered in selecting the above products. Rather, a cut-down portion of the market has been considered which includes retail products from at least the big four banks, the top 10 customer-owned institutions and Australia’s larger non-banks:

• The big four banks are: ANZ, CBA, NAB and Westpac
• The top 10 customer-owned Institutions are the ten largest mutual banks, credit unions and building societies in Australia, ranked by assets under management in November 2020. They are (in descending order): Credit Union Australia, Newcastle Permanent, Heritage Bank, Peoples’ Choice Credit Union, Teachers Mutual Bank, Greater Bank, IMB Bank, Beyond Bank, Bank Australia and P&N Bank.
• The larger non-bank lenders are those who (in 2020) has more than $9 billion in Australian funded loans and advances. These groups are: Resimac, Pepper, Liberty and Firstmac.
• If you click on a product link and you are referred to a Product or Service Provider’s web page, it is highly likely that a commercial relationship exists between that Product or Service Provider and Savings.com.au

Some providers' products may not be available in all states. To be considered, the product and rate must be clearly published on the product provider's web site.

In the interests of full disclosure, Savings.com.au, Performance Drive and Loans.com.au are part of the Firstmac Group. To read about how Savings.com.au manages potential conflicts of interest, along with how we get paid, please click through onto the web site links.

*Comparison rate is based on a loan of $150,000 over a term of 25 years. Please note the comparison rate only applies to the examples given. Different loan amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees and costs savings, such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan.

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