I was amused last week on seeing the recent video produced by Shelter
and starring Sean Lock. Amused at how crazy it appears that such a
landlord – as portrayed here - could exist, but also amused - on
showing friends this video – with their disbelief that such properties
could be real. The sad thing is that in my and some of my colleague’s experiences, we
do see properties not far off this condition, although not necessarily
meeting landlords represented in this way. In the space of less than 1 week, I have completed 3 check-outs on
properties that were in my view uninhabitable through damp. All 3
would warrant HHSRS enforcement orders if no remedy actioned. My
question is, “how could anyone have lived in such places?” And yet
they had, and in one case for more than 2 years. All properties were in blocks of flats and all blocks were of a decent
standard, one in particular in a high-class area. So it wasn’t a
reflection of area or perceived economic class, these were all decent
properties as properties go. What is surprising is no complaint had been made to the agents and
therefore landlords unaware of their properties’ condition. Now without pointing fingers at anyone, tenant, landlord or agent, I
feel there needs to be better ongoing monitoring of properties, this
means good inventories, agreed check-ins, regular interim or mid-term
inspections and of course detailed check-outs. But inspections and reports are pointless without action; we hear that
some reports sent to landlords still have no action taken, it seems
that agents are often ‘hands tied’ without landlord’s authorisation
and yet it’s the agent, we hear, who is likely to be perceived as the
rogue, not the landlord if tenant’s complaints are not dealt with
adequately. We now issue warnings to agents at the rate of 16% of all properties
inspected, that such properties are unfit at some level, and yet we
are told landlords are reluctant to spend money on rectifying
problems. If landlords and agents are to avoid HHSRS enforcement orders as well
as the often perceived view that some are rogues, there needs a shift
in attitude around what is a tenant’s right to have a ‘fit’ home. If
we in the industry can avoid dealing with properties deemed unfit,
then hopefully rented housing overall should improve.
and starring Sean Lock. Amused at how crazy it appears that such a
landlord – as portrayed here - could exist, but also amused - on
showing friends this video – with their disbelief that such properties
could be real. The sad thing is that in my and some of my colleague’s experiences, we
do see properties not far off this condition, although not necessarily
meeting landlords represented in this way. In the space of less than 1 week, I have completed 3 check-outs on
properties that were in my view uninhabitable through damp. All 3
would warrant HHSRS enforcement orders if no remedy actioned. My
question is, “how could anyone have lived in such places?” And yet
they had, and in one case for more than 2 years. All properties were in blocks of flats and all blocks were of a decent
standard, one in particular in a high-class area. So it wasn’t a
reflection of area or perceived economic class, these were all decent
properties as properties go. What is surprising is no complaint had been made to the agents and
therefore landlords unaware of their properties’ condition. Now without pointing fingers at anyone, tenant, landlord or agent, I
feel there needs to be better ongoing monitoring of properties, this
means good inventories, agreed check-ins, regular interim or mid-term
inspections and of course detailed check-outs. But inspections and reports are pointless without action; we hear that
some reports sent to landlords still have no action taken, it seems
that agents are often ‘hands tied’ without landlord’s authorisation
and yet it’s the agent, we hear, who is likely to be perceived as the
rogue, not the landlord if tenant’s complaints are not dealt with
adequately. We now issue warnings to agents at the rate of 16% of all properties
inspected, that such properties are unfit at some level, and yet we
are told landlords are reluctant to spend money on rectifying
problems. If landlords and agents are to avoid HHSRS enforcement orders as well
as the often perceived view that some are rogues, there needs a shift
in attitude around what is a tenant’s right to have a ‘fit’ home. If
we in the industry can avoid dealing with properties deemed unfit,
then hopefully rented housing overall should improve.