Caution Needed Against Rogue Landlords

 

New research by homeless charity Shelter suggests that many landlords are still failing to provide adequate provisions for repairs and, in some cases, even illegally evicting tenants from properties.

The survey of 184 environmental health officers (EHOs) revealed that it was commonplace for them to meet landlords who paid little attention to their responsibilities and obligations, both statutory and under the tenancy agreement. It was added that where unsafe properties were being let out, the main motivating factor was a financial one - for the landlord to increase his return, even if at the tenant's expense.

Chief Executive of Shelter, Campbell Robb commented, "Government needs to wake up to the reality of the problem and work with councils to develop a tough programme of action to root out rogue landlords."

He concluded, "The minority who do break the rules should be prosecuted and struck off immediately."

One clear way to prevent such problems is by encouraging private landlords to work with letting agents who can provide both the professional expertise and knowledge to create fair and sustainable tenancies.

Rory James MacLaren-Jackson, CEO of the Letting4Success and Property Agency Training channels, believes that the role of the letting agent is crucial in building successful relationships between landlords and tenants.

"Where tenants suffer at the hands of private landlords, it is not necessarily always malicious intent on the landlord's part but rather a lack of understanding and knowledge of the responsiblities involved when renting out a property."

He added, "The role of the professional letting agent is as much educator as service provider, helping landlords to understand their responsibilites and obligations to the tenant and assisting them to fulfil them. This is the key to smooth, successful tenancies for both parties."

 

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