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Millions of tenants have problem landlords

Monday, 4 July 2011 2:57 PM

More than 7.5 million people have had issues with their landlords in the last ten years while three million said landlords failed to deal with problems raised, according to a new study released today.

The YouGov survey, commissioned by the homelessness and housing charity Shelter, revealed the extent of difficulties between landlords and tenants.

Further research exposed the fact that 550,000 people (seven per cent) said they did not take matters further because they were scared of the consequences.

Around 3.4 million people in this country rent, a massive 40 per cent rise in the past five years attributed by Shelter to a “chronic shortage of social housing and an unaffordable housing market”.

These figures come on the same day a Channel 4 Dispatches programme is expected to expose poor treatment of tenants at the hands of Britain’s worst landlords.

Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said: “It is wholly unacceptable that people are left to live in conditions like those exposed in today’s programme.

“Throughout this campaign we have been continually shocked at the treatment tenants receive at the hands of these unscrupulous operators. What is more worrying is that this research shows just how many people are being affected by rogue landlord practice.”

Shelter has also launched a campaign to get protection for tenants, asking “How many people have keys to your home?” and highlighting how there is no legal requirement for landlords or letting agents to use registered tradesmen or for local councils to check tenants are renting from a good landlord.

To sign Shelter's petition to give tenants increased rights, visit Shelter.org.uk.

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