Shelter’s newest attack on letting agents is appalling and childish
Shelter claims Landlords and letting agents have got away with cutting corners for far too long and have released a satirical video with an agent played by comedian Rory Marshall (see video below)
However, Propertymark CEO, Nathan Emerson, responded: “Shelter’s newest attack on letting agents is appalling. Their war on the private rented sector is one of the main reasons why tenants are now faced with very little choice, which is nonsensical given it is the country’s second largest tenure and they want to end homelessness.
“Shelter also wishes to enhance standards in the sector, but 83% of tenants state they are satisfied with their properties and recent ONS figures show that investment in repairs and maintenance to private accommodation has seen all time highs over the past 18 months. This is in stark contrast to the social sector which has seen investment in repairs and maintenance at the lowest levels since records began over the last two years. The private rented sector is regularly called upon to support the social housing sector, yet its value is being overlooked, undervalued and now ridiculed.
“Thousands of agents take pride in their work, are passionate about providing a good service and go above and beyond for tenants. Shelter’s narrow-minded attack undermines those professionals who work hard for their landlords and tenants. If Shelter truly wanted to ‘fix’ the ‘broken rented system’ they would engage with the sector to understand how to recognise good agents whilst removing the minority of bad ones. If Shelter supported us in our calls for the Regulation of Property Agents the sector may get some workable, tangible results.
“Letting agents want to see rogue agents that bring them into disrepute removed, Shelter want to see rogue agents removed. We have common goals to see a high standard sector, but that goal will not be realised in a childish war.”
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Tenant cannot quite raise enough to buy their home?
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2203 - Articles: 2
12:03 PM, 11th May 2022, About 4 years ago
Just what is Shelter complaining about? This agent is being honest about the state of the properties, tenants and Shelter should be appreciative of this.
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 452
12:18 PM, 11th May 2022, About 4 years ago
So what they doing to fix it – other than drive more decent folk trying to provide good accommodation out of the market? LESS CHOICE! HIGHER RENTS!
Member Since July 2014 - Comments: 57
4:46 PM, 11th May 2022, About 4 years ago
Shelter always seem to want someone else to do something. Whether it’s the Government, Local Authorities, the Courts, Social Housing Providers or Private Landlords. Do they actually do anything themselves?
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2203 - Articles: 2
5:11 PM, 11th May 2022, About 4 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Smithy at 11/05/2022 – 16:46
I presume that was a rhetorical question for I am sure you already know the answer.
Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 153
1:08 AM, 12th May 2022, About 4 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Smithy at 11/05/2022 – 16:46
Yes, they are an activist organisation, they get their funding from activist activities and pay their CEO a disgusting amount of money for a charity… They spend a silly amount of money on their CEO and other top staff and advertising.. But thats what they do, they are a radical activist organisation, the only difference between them and extinction rebellion is they get funded by the government and at least extinction rebellion are actually fighting for a cause that actually exists..
Member Since December 2021 - Comments: 161
7:38 AM, 12th May 2022, About 4 years ago
It would be interesting to analyse the remaining 17% of tenants to establish their circumstances.
What %age were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.
What %age are now dissatisfied with a property they’ve trashed.
What %age are in arrears.
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2203 - Articles: 2
7:46 AM, 12th May 2022, About 4 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Smiffy at 12/05/2022 – 07:38
“What %age are now dissatisfied with a property they’ve trashed.
What %age are in arrears.”
I usually find that this is the same group of tenants.
Member Since May 2021 - Comments: 15
11:27 AM, 12th May 2022, About 4 years ago
Social housing is some of the lowest quality housing available in the rental sector. Strange how shelter never seems to raise that issue. It is almost like they have an agenda against the private rental sector.