Should I rent to Serco for 7 years?

Should I rent to Serco for 7 years?

0:02 AM, 15th February 2024, About 3 months ago 33

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Hello, in a last-ditch attempt to remain in property rental, I have discussed a 7-year lease with Serco to house asylum seekers. My property is on the market as I will not accept the abolition of section 21, tenant’s free legal advice, and Labour’s plans to sneak in tenancy for life, etc.

They have offered me a very competitive rent, free repairs, guaranteed rent, etc. I have had a horrendous year trying to evict, scraping dog mess and blood from my properties, and preparing for court action over damage all caused by people and this experience along with the Renters Reform Bill have made me simply want to walk away.

So my question to your readers is, has anyone gone down this route?? If so what have been your experiences, please?

Thanks,

Rebecca

Editors Note: You can check out an article on a readers experience with Serco here


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Comments

rebecca anelay

13:32 PM, 15th February 2024, About 3 months ago

THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH
for your comments, links and suggestions.

THANK YOU also PROPERTY 118,
This forum is invaluable!

Reluctant Landlord

15:21 PM, 15th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 15/02/2024 - 10:31
I concur!

The contract they are offering is a joke. Read it line by line, especially the bit about new kitchens every 4-5 years...even down to replacement windows if I remember correctly!

At the end of the day the tenants wont care about your property in the slightest. They are not paying for the accommodation and have no choice where they are put. It will be effectively an HMO with people who's background have not been established at this point. They are SEEKING asylum - not been given it yet. They are unknowns.

Serco? they are just taking the money from the government and running with it. They have nothing to loose at the end of the day either. They wont be at the door checking people in and out - anything could go in in there. Many of the gangs kick the people out and take it over themselves or make it into weed production houses. Yes it happens!

Biggest issue is your insurance cover. It will be sky high as essentially neither you or Serco have any idea who the occupants will be. They are not even UK citizens. Look at the insurance small print. The reality is that you probably wont be able to comply to the requirements of the policy so in other words if a crisis happened, your claim may be invalid anyway...

If you are already thinking of selling its clear you want out of the PRS. Believe me - the Serco option is the biggest stress you can bring on to yourself !

I asked a Serco employee once at their presentation about this arrangement if they would rent their own property out to the company on this type of contract - their silence was deafening!

rebecca anelay

16:57 PM, 15th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 15/02/2024 - 15:21
Thanks for your thoughts Judith.

GlanACC

17:02 PM, 15th February 2024, About 3 months ago

I have seen some of the neighbourhoods used to house migrants and and the like and you wouln't believe the amount of resentment it breeds (and likely anti-social behaviour from both the migrants and the community). I understand why you are considering it but you will reap what you sow. I personally know somone who had asylum seekers housed next to them, it has been a nightmare and the police are constantly being called to sort out 'gatherings'.

Reluctant Landlord

17:27 PM, 15th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 15/02/2024 - 17:02
I agree. Accommodation of this type really has to be kept in house by the government and in separated areas/zones away from the public at large. In the last hour alone the news is that the government now admit that terrorists/extremists are among them!

They knew this was going to happen and had time to put in proper legislation to stop the influx OR build monitored and secure reception centres accordingly OR both.

Moving those of unknown backgrounds into any established community is always going to cause issues, which is why I think every LL should push back and refuse to give up their properties for this purpose. It damages the existing cohesion - never improves it.

Even if taking a DSS tenant is seen as a risk, this cannot compare to what the result is when a house is given over for multiple unknown occupancy and zero security provided to know who's going in and out.

GlanACC

17:55 PM, 15th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Further to my previous post. The house that I am aware of , the asylum seekers in it seem to be 'sub letting' or similar as there are often 10+ people in a 3 bedroomed house and new faces appear all the time.

SteveFowkes

23:52 PM, 15th February 2024, About 3 months ago

Serco🤣🤣🤣🤣😢

Steve O'Dell

7:45 AM, 16th February 2024, About 3 months ago

I have only heard of bad stories from Serco scenarios

Andrew57

8:01 AM, 16th February 2024, About 3 months ago

I looked at this last year. The rent is fixed for 7 years unless you really push them for a rise. All houses must be to HMO spec, fire doors, etc. If the boiler is above a certain age it has to be replaced etc. Lots of costly changes for a residential property. The rent also tends to be linked to low council rental rates. I looked and was offered £600 a month. I got £850 privately without any changes.

Smiffy

8:35 AM, 17th February 2024, About 3 months ago

I wouldn't do it for what will be called all the wrong reasons.

95% of these asylum seekers are spongers. Providing housing will just encourage more and it's our tax paying for it!

Sell up while you can, put the cash in to shares, you'll earn just as much.

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