Landlords have failed the housing test, say unhappy student tenants

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Large numbers of student renters are unhappy with their landlords, a new study shows.

OpenRent’s survey found that 64% rate the support provided by their private landlord or letting agent during the pandemic as unsatisfactory compared with 51% who say the same of their student accommodation provider.

According to the findings, a third report that their landlord or university hasn’t given them a rent reduction when asked since last March, although 11% had received one.

Another two thirds report feeling trapped in a rental contract they no longer wanted.

The online lettings platform found that 11% of students are currently in arrears, owing an average of £1,341; 34% of students who rent have been unable to pay the full amount at some point since the pandemic started, while 56% of students find their rent “usually or always hard” to afford.

Rent arrears

OpenRent says 13% of students owe between one to two months and 7% are more than three months behind.

The survey reveals that 63% of students have worked since March 2020.

But they’ve lost an average of £2,761 in earnings since the start of the pandemic and 76% of those working say their ability to earn had been affected.

Only 30% of students who worked have been able to access the government’s economic support schemes.

OpenRent’s findings are similar to a recent survey from the National Union of Students which showed that 22% of students haven’t made their payments due to the pandemic, 27% haven’t paid bills and more than two-thirds are worried about being unable to pay rent.

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Court N24 order opinions?

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My freeholder/landlord took me to court for non-payment of Service Charge arrears, which I disputed. I was away on holiday when the court papers were delivered and judgement was issued (CCJ).

Upon return, I immediately paid the CCJ direct to the claimant on the understanding via his solicitor that should I have the judgement set aside he would refund the money in full.

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I have the misfortune of being taken to court by nightmare tenant in small HMO?

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Hi all 118ters, I have had the misfortune of being taken to court by a nightmare tenant who rents a room in a small HMO. The tenant in themselves is not too bad but her boyfriend who has moved in with her (not in accordance with her tenancy agreement) is a foul-smelling weed head.

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PICTURES: Fire at HMO property run by convicted rogue landlord

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A rogue landlord who ignored requests to install fire safety features has been handed a suspended prison sentence after a fire gutted her five-bedroom HMO.

Nicola Selwood admitted three fire safety offences relating to the two-storey house in Holway Avenue, Taunton, that housed seven people but had only one smoke alarm.

Taunton Crown Court heard that she had been told by the fire service and local council to make changes as far back as 2008 but hadn’t done so, resulting in a fire which destroyed the house – formerly her family home – leaving her £100,000 in debt.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service firefighters were called to the serious fire on 7^th August 2018 where two tenants had managed to escape.

One was treated for minor burns. A fire service investigation, carried out with Somerset West and Taunton Council, revealed that the fire was accidental but that Selwood had failed to carry out a fire risk assessment.

They found that the HMO had no suitable fire warning and detection system, fire doors, or safe escape route. It also had no emergency escape lighting in case of mains electrical failure.

When previously asked to carry out the work, Selwood told council officers she was no longer renting out rooms.

However, during the investigation she admitted that within a year she had started renting out rooms again for up to seven people at a time and did so up until the time of the fire. She’d even spent money on converting the garage to provide additional accommodation. 

Fire safety manager, Pete Smith, says: “It is extremely fortunate that the fire occurred during the day when most of the occupants were out. Had the fire started at a time when people were asleep, the outcome could have been very different.”

Selwood was sentenced to a nine-month prison term, suspended for 18 months.

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Property118 landlord overjoyed selling tenanted portfolio with National Residential for half a million in just 26 days

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Half a million pounds from the comfort of your sofa in just under 26 days. For a Property118 landlord from Wandsworth that’s exactly how he celebrated his week.

If you’re a landlord, and you haven’t yet heard of us here at National Residential

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Property Purchase in High Flood Risk Area?

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Hi Everyone, I am currently in the process of purchasing a house as a buy to let investment. However, the environmental report has come back and indicated this property is in a high flood risk area.

I had a conversation with the vendor

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Any case law of eviction prejudice against landlords?

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I am desperately trying to find anything I can use to show to the courts that ANY further delay in a possession claim (as caused by the courts themselves delaying making a final decision/or by the defence continually requesting delays to a hearing) is totally prejudicial to me the claimant.

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Can you transfer a section 21 notice to a new landlord?

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Hi, I am looking at buying a property with a problem tenant that won’t allow any viewings or valuations and I have been informed they have stopped paying the rent. I know we could just walkaway.

However, the current landlord served them with a section 21 notice last November to end in May we want to complete before April and wanted to know if can we use the notice that as been served or would we have to reserve notices?

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Firing Agent without T&Cs

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I had to fire a letting agent after he “misbehaved” with (my) clients´money and all trust was lost. I had to quickly appoint another company to manage tenants.

There is no signed Agreement or T&C´s from agent, only a very simple letter instructing him some years ago: 10% commission

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LATEST: Welsh landlords to face six-month notice periods for ‘no fault’ evictions

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New legislation has been introduced to give Welsh tenants more security and to help avoid disputes with landlords.

The Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill means that from Spring 2022, more simplified and standardised rental contracts will be available for a minimum of 12 months, with model contracts available.

Minimum notice periods will also be extended from two to six months in the case of no-fault evictions, with landlords only able to serve notice six months after tenants have moved in.

Although the notice period is going to be longer, Welsh landlords will still be able to repossess their property if a tenant is in breach of contract.

Housing and local government minister Julie James (pictured) says the law will directly affect the one in three people who currently rent in the region, making it fair, simple and efficient. 

Says James: “Thanks to our efforts, tenants will have greater peace of mind when renting. Everyone has the right to feel secure in their own home and to be able to plan for the future.”

She adds that there will also be clear benefits for landlords. “Clearer and easier to understand contracts will reduce disputes and legal costs and the new regime will provide a better way for landlords to deal with abandoned properties.”

David Wilton, chief executive of tenant advisory service TPAS Cymru, agrees that the new contracts should make it clearer for tenants and landlords to understand their respective rights and responsibilities.

He adds: “We particularly welcome the new protection measures which provide greater security regarding improved notice periods and offer flexibility should tenants’ circumstances change.”

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – LATEST: Welsh landlords to face six-month notice periods for ‘no fault’ evictions | LandlordZONE.

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