Shelter claim 39% of PRS is dangerous or unhealthy

Shelter claim 39% of PRS is dangerous or unhealthy

9:11 AM, 20th April 2021, About 3 years ago 48

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Shelter is urging the government to bring forward the Renters’ Reform Bill based on two survey samples of only 553 or 551 private renters, both possibly skewed by how the data is collected

Shelter go on to extrapolate in their press release:

New figures by YouGov released today show 39% of private renters, equivalent to 3.2m people, say they have been forced to live in dangerous or unhealthy conditions because they fear complaining to their landlord will trigger a retaliatory eviction.  

And almost half (46%) of private renters, equivalent to 3.8m people, whose homes have needed repairs or improvements said they have not tried to resolve these owing to these fears. 

Because private landlords can evict tenants by serving a section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notice, where they don’t have to give a reason, losing a private tenancy remains a leading cause of homelessness.  

And while the coronavirus pandemic has made our homes more important than ever, 35% of private renters say their housing situation has made lockdowns harder to cope with. A fifth (21%) had suffered with damp, mould, condensation, poor insulation or excess cold in the past month alone.  

In light of these worrying findings and ahead of the Queen’s Speech next month, housing charity Shelter is urging Boris Johnson to honour his pledge to deliver a Renters’ Reform Bill that transforms private renting. This should include abolishing section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions which would give renters the security they need to challenge poor conditions. And creating a National Landlord Register, which would force landlords to prove properties meet essential safety standards. 

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said:“Our broken renting system is overdue serious reform. For years, renters have paid through the nose for neglected properties, left powerless and paralysed by the fear that complaining about basic repairs could see them out on the streets.

“Over the past year, our homes have been our first line of defence against coronavirus. Yet this pandemic has exposed the grim reality that too many of the country’s 11 million renters – including key workers, families and the elderly – wake up every day to mould, pests and dangerous hazards.

“The Renters’ Reform Bill offers us a once-in-a generation opportunity to transform private renting and create a fairer safer system for all renters – we must seize it with both hands.”

Between March 2020 and March 2021, Shelter has seen a 35% increase amongst private renters who are contacting the charity’s helpline and web chat services for advice about poor conditions.

All survey results are based on a survey of 3,588 people in England (553 currently private renting), online, weighted, 18+, 7th-9th April 2021 or on a YouGov survey of 3,603 people in England (551 currently private renting), online, weighted, 18+, 28th Jan – 1st Feb 2021. Numbers of people are estimates calculated by Shelter using the survey results in conjunction with official statistics on population sizes. Shelter estimates there to be 8.2 million adult private renters in England, using analysis of published English Housing Survey (MHCLG) figures for 2019/20 and raw data from the same survey dated 2018/19.


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Comments

DGM

12:09 PM, 20th April 2021, About 3 years ago

We need a lobbying body that works on behalf of us Landlords, maybe we need to get together and form one?
The NRLA seem a waste of space at the moment and do not represent landlords, maybe they should change their name to - No Real Landlord Assistance

Whiteskifreak Surrey

12:15 PM, 20th April 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by John Dace at 20/04/2021 - 11:47
The Landlords Alliance - ha ha ha ha.. it was a money grabbing exercise and a lot of us fell for it. No idea what is happening to them. Zero presence, also here. No chance I will ever believe anyone and part with my hard earned cash.
And you are right - Shelter probably employ the best PR manipulators in the business. We have nobody.
As for the 'Boris the Landlords friend' - it is very, very quiet on that matter on P118 pages. Perhaps those who believed in that would like to comment now? His government is the greatest supporter of Shelter, has always been.

Chris @ Possession Friend

12:32 PM, 20th April 2021, About 3 years ago

39 % of a really small, Biased sample by a Gov sponsored Tenant activist group -
Versus the English Housing Survey showing 84 % of tenants satisfied !
Lets hope politicians can see the wood for the trees, although their track record isn't great.

Dennis Forrest

13:03 PM, 20th April 2021, About 3 years ago

Perhaps when the PRS has declined by at least 30% due to private landlords leaving this market then Shelter might have to live up to its name and provide at least temporary accommodation for the homeless.

Ian Narbeth

14:15 PM, 20th April 2021, About 3 years ago

Saying "losing a private tenancy remains a leading cause of homelessness" is as pointless as saying "losing a job is a leading cause of unemployment". It misses the obvious point that another tenant will take the property. The leading cause of homelessness is a shortage of houses that landlords are willing to rent. Build more houses and incentivise landlords to provide houses if you want to reduce homelessness. Don't encourage tenants to misbehave, by always taking their side and doing what you can to trip up the poor landlord.
Don't take money out of landlords' pockets with taxes on their mortgages and don't impose every-increasing regulatory requirements and then wonder why some landlords don't maintain properties. Don't assume because a property is mouldy and unhealthy it is the landlord's fault. It could be the tenants don't ventilate the property, don't turn on the heating and dry their laundry in living areas.

psquared

14:56 PM, 20th April 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 20/04/2021 - 14:15
I'd vote for you!

Ian Narbeth

15:12 PM, 20th April 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by psquared at 20/04/2021 - 14:56Thanks psquared. I already wear the badges of lawyer and landlord. Don't think I want to add politician. That leaves just two other despised professions. In my youth, I almost became a banker. I never considered journalism though perhaps my contributions on P118 lean towards that.
Sometimes I think that badger gassing would bring less opprobrium than landlording.

LaLo

18:04 PM, 20th April 2021, About 3 years ago

I've said it before - I always write to the top guys in government. I think the present housing minister is Christopher Pincher but they change every five minutes! If we all it do he'll soon get fed up. A mail will soon be on its way to Polly too. Get writing!

Whiteskifreak Surrey

18:21 PM, 20th April 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by LaLo at 20/04/2021 - 18:04
Probably a big ask - but do you have any templates to share?
Many thanks

LaLo

19:12 PM, 20th April 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Whiteskifreak Surrey at 20/04/2021 - 18:21
We don't want to all sound the same, but be firm - as it sticks.

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