Saga Home Insurance recently questioned ‘are UK landlords ethical’ and the study has released figures that will come as a relief to the private rented sector.
Pleasing
The figures show that despite common misconceptions, Britain’s landlords are, in the majority, a reliable and ethical group. 77% of tenants questioned said that their landlord was either, ‘good’ or excellent,’ with just 8% saying that their landlord was, ‘poor.’[1]
Complaints
Saga’s poll also showed the most common complaints lodged by both landlords and tenants. Most often, landlord complaints were either for late rent payments (37%) property damage, (32%) or tenants leaving without due notice (20%.)[1]
On the other hand, the most common tenant complaints concerned hard-to-reach-landlords (23%) and sub-standard tradesman called-on for repairs (21%).[1]
A concerning statistic from the report showed that one in ten landlords does not pay into a deposit protection scheme.
Advice
Alongside the report, Saga has issued a leaflet to promote and assist new and existing landlords. Entitled, ‘Guide to Being an Ethical Landlord,’ the booklet offers advice on becoming a landlord and the best practices to employ.
Sue Green, head of home insurance at Saga, said that the figures would hopefully change the conceptions attributed to landlords. She said, ‘in the age of housing shortages and escalating rents, landlords have been getting some bad headlines, but the research shows the extent to which this portrayal is unfair.’[1]
Green argues that the figures show that the, ‘majority of landlords are conscientious and ethical,’ but acknowledges the need for more. This, she claims, ‘is why we have released our guide with practical tips to help them improve their ethical credentials.’[1]
Landlords should always be asking themselves if they could do more, both for themselves and their tenants.
Saga’s free guide to becoming an ethical landlord can be found here-http://www.saga.co.uk/insurance/landlord-insurance/guide-to-being-an-ethical-landlord.aspx
[1] http://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/news_features/How-ethical-are-Britain%E2%80%99s-landlords