Tenants who are currently privately renting feel powerless to take action over landlord problems, according to a new survey released by Shelter ( reported by the Guardian). The survey reveals that 16% (7.5 million people in Shelter’s eyes) have had issues with their landlord in the last 10 years. The Guardian’s own anonymous blogger agrees with this sentiment, having suffered harassment by their landlord over missed rental payments.
While this statistic and picture makes for worrying reading, other surveys have revealed that most privately renting tenants are in fact happy with their landlord. The figure of 7.5 million is an extrapolation from the survey numbers (which are not currently available).To truly state that 7.5 million private renters have had problems requires a large survey number.
Their figure is also contradicted by Grant Shapps, who has stated that: “the vast majority of England's 3 million private tenants [are] happy with the service they receive”.
So this raises the question, are privately renting tenants happy…or not. We put this to you landlords.
Do you believe your tenants are happy? Tell us here
"The Guardian’s own anonymous blogger agrees with this sentiment, having suffered harassment by their landlord over missed rental payments."
It never fails to amaze me how stupid some people can be! I assume The Guardian's anonymous blogger is an educated person, so why would they be stupid enough to miss rental payments and then accuse their landlord of harassment when he chases them?!!! I urge Mr Shapps and all those in authority to utterly disregard any opinions given by people who make such ridculous remarks in the press.
I totally agree with Alex's comments above
What idiot tenant can EVER say they are being HARRASSED for rent.
I should think they should be; don't pay; get out.
A landlord should expect the tenant to pay ON TIME as per their contract; namely an AST agreement.
If they do not pay the landlord has every right to harrass for the rent.
Easy way to stop persistent landlord enquiries as to where the rent is; is to PAY; the rent; doh!!
We as landlords are not charities who can afford to subsidize a non-rent paying tenant's lifestyle.
It is about time the law was on the side of landlords who are providing a servce for which some tenants seem to have the impression they do not have to pay for the service.
Would these same tenants walk out of a restaurant without paying.
They commit an offence of theft if they refuse to pay; just like living in accommodation and refusing to pay for it.
These scumbag tenants deserve every form of harrassment until they pay their rent.
I totally agree with Paul Barrett. Landlords have commitments of Mortgages etc to pay. If we don't Mortgages on time, we are charged interest straight away on our non-payment. Why is the law always on tenents side even if they are in the wrong??? We are trying to live a honest living here............
Nandini yep you are so right; it seems to me that landlords can be acted against in a criminal way; non-payment of rent; stealing property items and trashing the place; and these are considered CIVIL OFFENCES!!?..excuse me!?