“Tenants will damage properties to avoid eviction” claims online lettings agent

Tenants could be trying to avoid eviction by damaging property and abusing the new legal system designed to ban revenge evictions, an online lettings agent claims.
 
The new legislation came into force on 1 October meaning landlords who have failed to remedy legitimate repairs requests cannot use the traditional Section 21 procedure to regain possession of their property.

But research by PropertyLetByUs – an online agency – claims 10% of tenants have admitted that they have caused over £500 worth of damage to properties. 

“While in principle the legislation is a good move, ensuring that landlords don’t evict tenants because of a genuine disrepair issue, it is open to dishonest tenants bending the law to avoid eviction,” claimed the agency’s managing director, Jane Morris.

“Landlords need to ensure that they make regular checks on their properties and handle tenants’ complaints about damage, quickly and efficiently. If landlords are suspicious that the damage is intentional to avoid eviction, they should seek legal advice.”

Want to comment on this story? Our focus is on providing a platform for you to share your insights and views and we welcome contributions.
If any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.
Please help us by reporting comments you consider to be unduly offensive so we can review and take action if necessary. Thank you.