HAVOC is being wreaked on the lives of thousands of private tenants by rogue landlords, Shelter reported yesterday.
New research found that over 125,000 private renters in England suffered abuse, harassment, threat or assault from their landlord in the last year alone. However, alarmingly, the survey by the housing charity and YouGov showed that the number of renters affected by law-breaking landlords could in fact be far higher, with 1 in 10 saying their landlord had carried out an act that could have resulted in legal action.
Alongside abusive behaviour, renters reported rogue landlords cutting off utilities, entering homes without permission, and not protecting renters’ deposits. In just the last year, almost 17,000 people have called the Shelter helpline about problems with their landlord.
Shelter director of services, Alison Mohammed said: ‘It’s shocking that a small minority of rogue landlords who are exploiting the housing crisis can cause so much havoc and misery in the lives of renters.
‘The only way to fix the problem long-term is to make renting fit for purpose for the millions of ordinary families searching for a safe and stable home. For anybody experiencing problems right now, Shelter gives them somewhere to turn for support and legal advice when a rogue landlord crosses the line.’
• In July 2015 Shelter commissioned YouGov to explore the experiences of private tenants and landlords. Total sample size was 3,792 adults.
• In the last year 1.53% of respondents in England said they or another tenant had been threatened/ harassed/assaulted by their landlord or letting agent – this equates to approximately 126,846 private renters.
• 10% of private renters in England had experienced either their landlord or letting agent entering their home without permission, threatening/harassing/assaulting them or another tenant, cutting off their electricity/gas/water, or not protecting their deposit when they are on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy.
• Between April 2013 and March 2014 16,969 private renters contacted Shelter regarding either harassment from their landlord, a problem or dispute with their tenancy deposit or a general landlord dispute.
Helpline Adviser, Mark Cook said: ‘Every day at Shelter we speak to people desperate for help because their lives are being made unbearable by a rogue landlord.
‘Some of their experiences are truly awful – from renters who have been illegally evicted and had their belongings burned, to those who’ve had their utilities cut off because their landlord wants to intimidate them. No-one should have to put up with a landlord who breaks the law and it’s so important to know your rights as a renter.’
