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UK govt crackdown on rogue landlords welcome

Poor living conditions have a major impact on tenants and on the local community. In some parts of the UK, there are acute problems with clusters of very poor quality properties, which are associated with wider problems such as illegal working, anti social behaviour and illegal immigration.

According to Pat Barber, chairman of the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC), a small number of rogue landlords are putting lives at risk and causing problems for local communities.

‘Over the last 12 months, we have seen a rise in the number of properties owned by irresponsible landlords. Overcrowding inevitably causes dangerous health and safety issues,’ she said.

She gave one recent example where a landlord has rented a three bed roomed town flat as a company let to the owner of a restaurant. ‘In a short space of time no less than 17 people were living in there with the landlord’s full knowledge and consent. This only came to light when the letting agent had cause to visit the property after a complaint from a neighbour,’ explained Barber.

‘The living conditions were not only cramped but very dangerous. Escape routes were blocked with rubbish and every available room was being used as a bedroom with furniture piled high across fire exits and windows,’ she added.

She pointed out that the key problem is that there is a growing shortage of affordable accommodation in parts of the UK and rogue landlords are exploiting this and as a result vulnerable and undesirable tenants are seduced by low cost rent, with little or no reference checks.
 
‘Recent research by the Tenant’s Voice shows that 37% of tenants would not rent another property from their current agent or landlord and that nearly half, 46%, have had deposit disputes,’ said Barber.

‘Nearly 40% of tenants said properties were generally tired and in need of updating and a further 17% said they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the overall condition of the properties they had rented. The government, local authorities, communities and the industry need to work together to remove rogue landlords from the market,’ she added.

The AIIC said that it is committed to excellence and professionalism in the property inventory process and works hard to ensure that all landlords, tenants and letting agents understand the importance and benefits of professionally completed property inventories.

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