HMO agents offering lucrative five-year contracts to house asylum seekers?
There is a question Property1118 members might be able to help with. I am hearing that landlords are being approached by HMO agents and being offered lucrative five-year contracts to house asylum seekers.
I am very interested in finding out how what they’re being offered compares to market rents in their area and if they’re aware of any additional fees. Have any members been approached with this offer?
I’d be very keen to talk to you to understand exactly what was on offer. It can be completely anonymous if you prefer. You would also be welcome to email me with any details.
If you think you can help please contact me as soon as possible.
Thank you very much.
Eir Nolsøe
Economics Correspondent
+44 7885 222975
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Half a million renters denied pets by landlords - claim
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1450 - Articles: 1
12:54 PM, 25th September 2025, About 7 months ago
Make sure you have £15-20,000 stashed away to repair damage, for each property, if you are really thinking of doing this.
I rented 2 x 2 bedrooms flats to a Housing Association 30 years ago – 3 year agreement and it cost me £+10k for each to rectify the damage – and no comeback on the Housing Association as they demanded only their tenancy agreement could be used.
Ovens in both properties were pristine on hand back though but
lounge carpets had large circular burns where primus stoves had been used to cook on; double glazed windows needed replacement as mould, 1/2″ thick, had damage the gasket seals beyond repair and windows were misted up; walls had to be knocked back to the brick – Housing Association had sloshed magnolia emulsion but had forgotten to do behind the radistors; new boilers (Combi) as pressure had never been topped up; carpets ruined and when removed even the floorboards under the hardboard needed replacing; bathroom floor replaced as had not used a shower curtain (a brand new one had been provided); all chrome bathroom fittings rusted etc etc etc
Member Since July 2023 - Comments: 181
3:42 PM, 25th September 2025, About 7 months ago
I think many LLs may be a bit cautious about this latest ‘government wheeze’.
Member Since March 2016 - Comments: 50
10:09 AM, 18th October 2025, About 6 months ago
Never touch these Serco contracts !! They make Serco wealthy but not the small landlord….. serco gets 4000 per person per month and onpays only 400 to 600 per person on to the landlord. They write a strangle contract so that you can’t take ypur house back for 5 years during which they ruin it forcing you to spend tens of thousands to repair your home. You are then up against serco who are huge and have money for lawyers on a scale you do not so you will lose. Only Serco and agents in the middle make money. Journalist… just read the agreement Serco and similar offer…. only an idiot or a desperate person with a wreck of a house will sign it. And both of these will not make a penny..