Active adult 55+ senior housing communities have become a popular choice for seniors looking for a supportive and engaging living environment. However, for small owner-operator landlords looking to advertise their 55+ senior housing communities on popular rental websites like Apartments.com, Realtor.com, and Zillow.com, the process can be frustrating, complicated, and costly.
Despite being explicitly permitted under fair housing regulations, many popular rental websites prohibit landlords from mentioning age restrictions in their listings. This means that landlords looking to specifically advertise to the senior population are forced to use alternative marketing methods or pay for costly upgrades that allow them to include age restrictions in their listings.
For example, some landlords have experienced difficulties when trying to list their 55+ senior housing communities on Apartments.com. Despite the website’s help files stating that landlords should contact support to add the 55+ designation to their listing, many landlords have found that the process is more complicated than advertised. Some landlords have reported having to make over a dozen phone calls and messages to the support team, only to receive conflicting information and false promises.
One landlord reported that after paying for a listing, Apartments.com told them that they could not designate their listing as 55+ as promised. This experience highlights the challenges and frustrations that small owner-operator landlords face when trying to advertise their 55+ senior housing communities on popular rental websites.
In addition to these advertising challenges, small owner-operator landlords also face unique difficulties in managing active adult 55+ senior housing communities. These communities require specialized knowledge and resources to operate effectively, including expertise in geriatric care, understanding of regulatory compliance, and knowledge of marketing to the senior population. These challenges can make it difficult for small owner-operator landlords to effectively manage their communities and attract new residents.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only made these challenges more pronounced. Many older adults are wary of living in shared spaces due to the increased risk of exposure to the virus. As a result, many active adult 55+ senior housing communities are struggling to attract new residents, exacerbating the already difficult task of managing these communities.
It’s important for policymakers and rental websites to recognize the unique needs of the senior population and work towards making the process of finding and advertising senior housing options more accessible and streamlined. By supporting small owner-operator landlords and addressing the challenges they face, we can help ensure that all seniors have access to safe, affordable, and welcoming homes.
In conclusion, the restrictions placed by popular rental websites on advertising age-restricted housing can be a significant challenge for small owner-operator landlords looking to manage active adult 55+ senior housing communities. These challenges ultimately limit the housing options available to seniors and make it more difficult and costly for them to find the homes they need. By recognizing the unique needs of the senior population and supporting small owner-operator landlords, we can work towards a future where all seniors have access to safe and welcoming housing options.
