Once again the good name of millions of landlords in the UK is destroyed by a few bad apples. A recent investigation by the homelessness charity Shelter, found that a great number of tenants are being treated shabbily by rogue landlords.
Shelter claim the appalling treatment is widespread, but it is only by a small number of landlords in the private sector. Shelter carried out the survey of EHOs (environmental health officers) and found that 9 in every 10 who deal directly with private renters had problems with a landlord harassing, abusing and even evicting tenants illegally. EHOs also told of landlords who ignore responsibilities including severe cases of damp and mould along with electrical and fire safety hazards which are totally ignored by the landlords.
One landlord is renting a property which has no heating, hot water or electricity. Another landlord rents a property to a mother and young child without any kitchen facilities or fire precautions. The survey shows the importance for local councils to have good enforcement strategies in place to help the most vulnerable. The enforcement strategies should also not have to wait until there is a complaint. It looks as if in the future there are going to be more private tenants. So it is important to drive out the worst landlords in the private rented sector. It is unclear if the property owners even have landlord insurance.
Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said “It is simply not acceptable that people are handing over their hard-earned cash to live in houses that are run-down, squalid and in some cases even dangerous. Our investigation shows just how ruthless a minority of rogue landlords can be. But this is not just the odd crook here and there. We know there are people operating in cities up and down the county, and it’s clear that this is a national problem that urgently needs a national solution.”