Healthier homes
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- 24th Mar 22
Healthier homes
Why does renting affect tenants’ health and what can we do to tackle this appalling situation?
What goes wrong
Even in expensive rental properties, tenants have negative experiences with their homes leading to poor health. This can materialise in stress, anxiety, depression, breathing problems and teeth grinding. It may not be the actual property at fault, it could be the stress associated with dealing with difficult landlords. All Build to Rent homes are professionally managed ensuring that you receive the best customer service.
Improved air quality
The Covid crises has opened our eyes to the need for good internal air quality. In fact, a study by AirRated suggests that 70% of tenants would be willing to pay more for a property with good indoor air quality. This might have been driven by the change in public knowledge and understanding of air quality with 80% of respondents saying their knowledge of indoor air quality has increased since the pandemic.
Keeping older tenants healthy
The traditional viewpoint of the rental market is of young professionals climbing the career ladder. But the number of older people and retirees moving into rented accommodation has soared over the last few years, many choosing to rent for lifestyle reasons. The Build to Rent sector has acknowledged this early on and creates communities for everyone, young or old, who don’t want the hassle of a mortgage and prefer a social community setting. This positive environment impacts mental health, which is beneficial for physical health too.
Stability and security
Housing instability can be incredibly stressful and harming to health. It is important for people to have control over how long they live in their homes and how secure they feel. Private renters often have short tenancy agreements with no control over them and can be evicted through factors beyond their control with little notice, causing immense stress. Furthermore, frequent moves can impact the engagement with doctors, dentists, and other health services, weakening relationships in the local community. Those who rent via Build to Rent, have complete control over their length of stay and many developments have a concierge and 24/7 security for complete peace of mind.
Housing quality
Poor quality housing has a direct effect on tenants’ health. A home that is damp, hard to heat or has faulty wiring will certainly be a health hazard. In every Build to Rent development, you can expect excellent design, fixtures, and fittings. Build to Rent are designed specifically for renting. Professionally managed with maintenance teams on hand, if anything were to go wrong, replacements and repairs are just a phone call away.
Value for money
Understanding your finances is crucial for mental health and wellbeing. There is a common misconception that Build to Rent are much more expensive than traditional rental but when you consider the number of additional amenities that are included, the value for money is clear to see. Many Build to Rent developments include bills, gyms memberships, internet, and co-working spaces.
How to create a healthier space at home
- Keep it clean – dust can store a mix of toxic chemicals so remove it frequently with a wet cloth.
- Consider what you buy – reduce the amount of plastic in your home such as food containers, which are linked to health effects. Choose natural or organic fibres where possible and use glass, ceramic, or BPA-free food containers.
- Get more plants – plants remove toxins from the air, release oxygen and even lower stress. As well as this, they remind us of nature offering a sense of calm and balance.
- Create wellness zones – make small spaces that feel special to you. Perhaps with crystals or candles or just a cosy corner where you can enjoy relaxing with a book.
- Clear out the clutter – having meaningful objects around us can spark moments of joy but too much stuff can lead to a cluttered mind. Regularly sort through your things so you don’t become overwhelmed with the task.