This latest edition of LaingBuisson’s Later Living UK Market Report provides a detailed analysis of the housing and care options available to older people in the UK, including Retirement Living, Age-Exclusive Downsizer housing, and Housing with Care. In 2024, these segments comprise a total of 771,875 apartments, with Retirement Living representing 68% of the market, Age-Exclusive Downsizer 20%, and Housing with Care 12%. 

The report examines a market increasingly driven by independent providers, with Housing with Care identified as the fastest-growing segment. Over the past three years, 44% of all new builds have been Housing with Care developments, reflecting growing demand for homes in the smallest segment of the Later Living market as they combine independence with the reassurance of future care. 

It explores the intersection of demographic trends, investment activity, and evolving consumer expectations. The report highlights the market’s shift towards rental-based retirement models, offering steady, lower-risk income streams that appeal to investors. It also considers the role of care and service provision in supporting “last time movers,” who may not need care now but want the security of knowing it will be available when required. 

When read alongside the Care Homes for Older People UK Market Report, this offers a complete picture of housing options for the UK’s elderly population. 

This report supports decision-making for: 

• Later living and retirement housing operators 

• Developers specialising in Retirement Living, Age-Exclusive Downsizer, and Housing with Care schemes 

• Private equity firms and institutional investors in housing and care 

• Real estate investment trusts (REITs) active in the later living sector 
• Property developers seeking opportunities in the ageing population market 
  
• Corporate strategy and M&A teams in property, housing, and care markets 

• Local authority housing and planning teams 

• Policymakers focused on housing, ageing, and integrated care 

• Strategic consultants and market analysts in housing and social care 

• Housing associations and registered providers delivering older people’s housing 

• Financial institutions funding later living projects 

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