It's claimed renting in the private sector leads to quicker biological ageing.
A new study, from researchers at the University of Essex and University of Adelaide, found falling behind repeatedly with rent payments or living in a home which is affected by pollution are the main reasons.
However, it found people paying rent in the social housing sector fared better because of a better security of tenure and lower rental costs.
The researchers say the findings show "the potential epigenetic impacts of housing".
'Epigenetics' is the study of how someone's behaviours and environment can cause changes to how their genes work.
Compared with other social circumstances, such as unemployment, housing problems have a stronger link to faster ageing.
The study's findings were published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
Previous studies have found stress can increase ageing – but it's reversed when the stress stops.
