Show expired listings still in the members area

The 5.2 update included this “updated it so users can see their own listings even if ‘hide expired’ is set”

This is working as stated but it doesn’t actually solve the problem of enabling the author to RENEW their listing.

Scenario: users are able to create free per listings no membership option enabled (as all listings are expired at the same time when membership expires it seems)
Settings: hide expired ON in general settings, listing packages set to “do nothing” as per suggestions in previous posts.
Problem: expired listings still show on front end under Latest Listings as well as in member’s “my listings” area HOWEVER there is no renew option. If user edits the listing and clicks save it still doesn’t set it live again and there is no actual way for the user to renew their listings themselves or even upgrade… and this can currently only be done by Admin.

So the best option I can see now is to set set expired listing “TO DRAFT” and ask authors to email you if they want it renewed – to be done manually by Admin.

This is for Classifieds and Directory V5.2 from what I have experienced.