Skip to main content

Landlord Rant Of The Month (Tenant Problems Caused By Policy)

placeholders-tip-oftheMonth

A guest rant this month from member, Anthony Athill in response to local government concerns about poor conditions affecting tenants health and well-being.  Basically, he argues that governments create the problem and it is time they addressed it and stopped making it our problem, he says "Once upon a time I would have attended the housing focussed 'Health and Wellbeing' workshop but I do not think there is any point in more talk, we know that poor housing impacts lives dramatically and we know what needs to be done."

What Else Did Tony Have To Say? 

The vast majority of housing issues affecting health and well-being are in the properties occupied by the poorest and most vulnerable tenants. They are the ones that are reluctant to complain and bring into play existing enforcement measures. If all properties funded by state benefits were properly inspected and issues addressed prior to occupation the 'Health and Wellbeing' of vast numbers of tenants would be improved dramatically. The problem is those struggling to keep the poor and the vulnerable off the streets are so desperate, they do not take the action that would bring about improvements to the properties they use. As things stand, housing officers know the tougher they are with landlords the greater the numbers in emergency accommodation or on the streets. It is a fact that after intensive efforts to improve standards in Waverley Road some tenants did end up on the streets.

The nation gets the quality of housing it is prepared to pay for. For those reliant on the state to pay their housing costs the best way to improve standards would be to pay the providers more. This will increase supply available to those reliant on benefits. When supply matches demand tenants will not put up with poor standards. Supply to those on benefits is falling because UC rates are too low.

The criminal landlords only survive because tenants have no choice.

While standards in social housing are so frequently inferior to that in the PRS it is hard to get landlords interested in what we can do to help.

"When they get there house in order and set an example, then I will talk" is what we here.

The quickest way to improve the 'Health and Wellbeing' would be for qualified Environmental Health officers to inspect all properties used by Housing Options, both 'social' and PRS. This policy would then provide the evidence to direct further action, locally or nationally.

While Government policy is that the way to improve your 'Health and Wellbeing' is to get a job, Local Authorities will have a problem improving life for those unable to work.