The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has accused Shelter of “scaremongering” and playing to people’s fears as the homeless charity publishes yet another alarmist press release on evictions in the private rented sector.
Citing a “record rise” in the number of calls Shelter’s helpline has taken from tenants it says that the number of callers at risk of losing their home has doubled over two years to 7,600.
While the RLA agrees that it is unacceptable and wrong for tenants to be living in fear, it warns that public policy cannot be based on a distorted sense of the problem and points out that Shelter will only ever hear from tenants in the minority of cases where things go wrong.
It says the “bigger picture” shows a different view of the private rented sector:
• With 9 million tenants in private rented housing in England, the 7,600 calls referred to by Shelter equate to just 0.08% of tenants.
• Government figures show 83% of tenants in the private rented sector are satisfied with their properties compared to 81% in the social sector.
• Just 9% of tenancies in the private rented sector are ended by the landlord, mostly as a result of tenants committing anti-social behaviour or failing to pay their rent.
Responding to the report RLA chairman Alan Ward said: “Shelter is once again needlessly playing to people’s fears.
“Whilst we believe it is wrong for any tenant to have to live in fear, we need a rationale debate that recognises that the vast majority of landlords don’t spend their time looking for the first opportunity available to evict their tenants. That’s why the average length of private rented tenancies is now over three years, with tenants enjoying considerable discounts on their rents where this does happen.
“In the end however, the best way to root out those criminal landlords who reap misery on tenants live is a substantial boost to the supply of homes to rent providing tenants with genuine choices about where they live.
“The RLA has a comprehensive manifesto for growth in the sector. Unfortunately, Shelter seems more concerned with playing to people’s fear than coming up with constructive ideas on how to support and encourage the good landlords whilst rooting out the minority of criminals operating under the radar.”
The attack on Shelter comes just a week after the RLA dubbed campaign group Generation Rent “Generation Rant” after it published a consultant document containing some controversial ideas to reform renting.
Comments
lets hope scots vote to go in september--then we can deport cameron robb and another cameron!
Deary me Colin better lie down before you have a seizure.
NLA and RLA and every other Landlord body represnts Landlords as being wonderful - I see it all the time but then that is because I deal an awful lot with private Landlords. They are all well meaning, but usually inept.
In some cases of course they are dangerous
No where does it say 'all Landlords are wonderful'. On fact it mentions criminal landlord. If shelter really wanted to help reduce homelessness they would help, support and train tenants about tenancy management and tenants responsibility, as stated in the article this is what causes the vast majority of tenancies not being renewed.
BUT NO, its far easier to attack landlords and scaremonger - think how the fascists operated and you wont be far wrong.
On the issue of the NLA, they do not support individual landlords any more, even on court decisions that would change national government policy.
So saying all Landlord are wonderful isn't propaganda then?!!
I am very pleased to see that unlike the NLA, the RLA are supporting landlords in balancing the manipulated propaganda that these groups spout.