Selfish bastards on Homes Under The Hammer

[SquishyBones]

Watching this shit show as I was bored and a family bought a house. The woman then proudly explained that they already own 700(!!!) houses in the area already and are hoping to own 1000 by the end of the year. How the fuck is this even allowed?? AIBU to think selfish bastards like this should be stopped and there should be a cap on how many properties a person can own? Even 10 houses per person would be ridiculous but would stop the likes of these people

I think landlords should be capped in how many properties they own. I also think we need far more social housing especially for working families who can’t buy a property themselves and don’t make anywhere near top of current social housing lists and then trapped in paying high rents for bad quality housing. We def need higher standards for rental properties and a clamp down on greedy landlords being able to receive housing benefit but not keeping the property in a decent standard.

honestly i hate people like that- it use to be that first time buyers could grab a bargain fixer-upper to get them started. Now they cant beause people like that can pay a bit more knowing they are going to flip it for vast profit in a few months. They have literally knocked the bottom rungs out of the housing market. That's why i will always be stuck renting when i dont want to.

@alphabetti first question, why ? Why should landlords be capped on how many properties they own? How would you feel if you were told there was a cap on anything you bought? This isn't a communist state you know.

As for social housing, you do realise that the majority of social housing are owned by private landlords and rented to the housing associations. Also that a social housing tenant actually has less rights when it comes to eviction than one in private rented, they can be evicted far quicker and easier.

Finally, on standards. The private rented sector has a very high standard that actually often supercedes those in the owned sector. They must have EPC of E or above, and this will be getting tighter to D soon. Landlords must carry out yearly gas and regular electricity certificates.

If a landlord doesn't provide you with these at the start of your tenancy, you know they're not going to be arsed with the rest of it. You are just as responsible for your own welfare and you should read up on your rights and use common sense. If a property looks damp, or poorly maintained, it's probably not going to change, don't rent it. You have a choice.

Honestly, without private landlords we'd have a LOT more homelessness as we simply don't have anywhere near enough community housing.

There are good and bad landlords and tenants so before making brash statements like landlords should be capped etc, have a think about what the outcome of that will likely be, because it probably ends with you shooting yourself in the foot.

Social housing sold off so that private individual and companies can make profit .... is the answer to Bring back council housing .... I feel uncomfortable with the type of personalities that buy up all the cheaper houses keeping low paid workers off the housing ladder ..those that have no social conscience .... The problem is always a question of balance and the impact on the area where they can Weald too much power and influence over people and the local infrastructure

Disgusting and shameful
LANDLORDS DON’T PROVIDE HOUSING THEY REMOVE IT FROM THE OPEN MARKET AT MOVE IT FURTHER FROM NORMAL PEOPLES REACH

Actually makes me sick. (definitely not envy)

[quote Treacletoots]@alphabetti first question, why ? Why should landlords be capped on how many properties they own? How would you feel if you were told there was a cap on anything you bought? This isn't a communist state you know.

As for social housing, you do realise that the majority of social housing are owned by private landlords and rented to the housing associations. Also that a social housing tenant actually has less rights when it comes to eviction than one in private rented, they can be evicted far quicker and easier.

Finally, on standards. The private rented sector has a very high standard that actually often supercedes those in the owned sector. They must have EPC of E or above, and this will be getting tighter to D soon. Landlords must carry out yearly gas and regular electricity certificates.

If a landlord doesn't provide you with these at the start of your tenancy, you know they're not going to be arsed with the rest of it. You are just as responsible for your own welfare and you should read up on your rights and use common sense. If a property looks damp, or poorly maintained, it's probably not going to change, don't rent it. You have a choice.

Honestly, without private landlords we'd have a LOT more homelessness as we simply don't have anywhere near enough community housing.

There are good and bad landlords and tenants so before making brash statements like landlords should be capped etc, have a think about what the outcome of that will likely be, because it probably ends with you shooting yourself in the foot.[/quote]
I’ve got no idea where you’ve found a high standard in private rent. Everyone I have lived in has been damp, unsafe, poorly maintained...

@boomclaps the house I rent out. It's been renovated to my own living standards and has been continually maintained since. My tenants look after the property and I look after them.

If you can't find anything that's not a shit hole then raise your budget, or move somewhere cheaper.

And enough with the nonsense that landlords stop people buying. Landlords buy up properties that are cheap, that other people dont want to buy. The ones that require renovating, that buyers likely couldn't get a mortgage on, so stop trying to blame landlords as the reason house prices are too high. If you can't afford to buy look in a cheaper area. You might not like that answer but it is that simple

@Treacletoots what a twatty comment “raise your budget or move somewhere cheaper”.

There are so many reasons people CANNOT do this. You’re on another planet if you think it’s that easy.

I’m degree and masters educated in a full time professional job as a key worker in the NHS earning a decent amount of money. DP works full time as a tradesperson (Employed by a company so no self employment.) Still our rent is nearly 70% of our earnings.

Unfortunately because I’ve suffered from a disability since I was 7 I can’t move away from where I grew up as it’s where all my family and as a result my support is. (I did try as a student and again in my twenties.) because when I am unwell I require some level of care and support that DP can’t be solely responsible for.

I live in an area where second homes are rife and it’s beautiful.

But what do you expect people to do. Raise the budget so much they can’t fucking eat. Or get to work.

Seriously. Get real.

ENOUGH ALREADY!!!

Such stuff and nonsense, let alone misinformation and flat out lies!

Everyone I have lived in has been damp, unsafe, poorly maintained... That is nigh in unelievable, unless you were renting in a very overcrowded area, from a landlord you knew to be dodgy, in which case there was more going n than poor landlords.

There are, and have been for quite a while, a long series of regulations about living conditions inrental accomodation:

As of January this year there has being a housing ombudsman

www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/

March last year a Homes (Fit For Human Habitation) Act

www.gov.uk/government/publications/homes-fitness-for-human-habitation-act-2018/guide-for-tenants-homes-fitness-for-human-habitation-act-2018

Added to the tenant fee bans and the other changes in the pipeline that means an evolving letting landscape that is aimed at benefiting tenants!

CuriousaboutSamphire
I actually worked in housing, for quite some time I’m not lying and it’s a really common issue where we are. I volunteer for the private rental support network locally and it’s definitely an issue.

Not an overcrowded area, my experience personally is only managed lets through agents.

Rural/coastal area in the West Country where private family homes to let come up very rarely and are very expensive where second homes are rife and where you know that despite the stuff in place to protect tennants, you don’t complain, because if your landlord evicts you, or rises the rent because they can’t afford the maintenance you won’t get anywhere within half an hour drive of your kids school (An hour plus if you rely on the bus that only runs every third hour.)

So don’t try and say this shit isn’t happening - it’s real and it’s ruining people.

@Treacletoots

And enough with the nonsense that landlords stop people buying. Landlords buy up properties that are cheap, that other people dont want to buy. The ones that require renovating, that buyers likely couldn't get a mortgage on, so stop trying to blame landlords as the reason house prices are too high. If you can't afford to buy look in a cheaper area. You might not like that answer but it is that simple

It’s not just “that simple” to move to a cheaper area. You need to get another job, you need to move your kids schools, uprooting your whole life isn’t simple. And the privilege here is astounding

It is always interesting seeing the divide between those who have only seen awful damp bad condition private rented housing and those who have seen good rented housing. May be there are two markets.I know my daughter this year has been a landlord and a tenant and her place and the one she rented were both very nice,in London, rents over £1k a month, well maintained. Even my twin sons who rented 2 separate places this year at Bristol university from private landlords did not have damp leaking properties - just good qualify standard student housing (house and flat respectively)

Also if you are a landlord and own one property you let out why would you let your only or main asset become with nothing by letting the roof leak and that kind of thing? It would be like burning 5 pound notes.

I’ve got no idea where you’ve found a high standard in private rent. Everyone I have lived in has been damp, unsafe, poorly maintained...

Well then that's down to you, because 3 different cities, number of properties and only 1 which was crap was the super cheap shithole I lived in for few months to get my bearings around the city.

Frankly if you can't move, save or get mortgage, that's it. Not everyone will own. Having a roof over your head is a right, owning that roof certainly isn't.

@Boomclaps you conveniently ignored the fact I responded to your claim about all properties being shit and providing you wit proof that you're not correct.

Your venom towards landlords is quite honestly blinding you from having a factual viewpoint of the entire situation. Get out of your box and listen to alternative viewpoints for once will you?

despite the stuff in place to protect tennants, you don’t complain, because if your landlord evicts you, or rises the rent because they can’t afford the maintenance you won’t get anywhere within half an hour drive of your kids school Like I said, lots more going on! Which is why the industry is being overhauled - not that all the changes will be to anyones betterment!

I am currently doing check outs on student houses. Lots of Georgian terraces. All prone to damp whether owner occupied or not. All with very similar remedial work being done over the years.

Damp is the one thing that sudents and parents get most het up about. In rooms with constant, nigh on silent, ventilation some still manage to get their rooms into a really awful state. Oddly, the year before it will have been fine and the year after it will be fine again and the landlord does nothing between tenancies but sigh, clean and redecorate!

Then again, one house recently moaned about a slug on the bedorrom carpet... but made no mention of the dead rat in the undersink cupboard!

I no longer lnow what is reasonable. I won't regain my equilibrium until about October!

I also never said moving house was easy @Boomclaps but it is the answer to owning a house in an area you can afford, that's not complicated.

A roof over your head should be a right. To be able to own it, in the area you choose, dont be ridiculous, it's not a communist state

@Boomclaps - everywhere you’ve rented has been damp and awful but still costs 70% of your (You claim comfortable) salary? Yeah right.

I’ve rented loads of properties over the years in different areas and hugely different price points and been a landlord. And I haven’t come across property of a poor standard. Generally private rented accommodation is in much better nick than social housing and is often not much more expensive. In Scotland, private rented accommodation is not much less secure either.

Landlords are not buying property and leaving it empty. They are providing much needed rental property to the market. I moved around a lot when younger with my job and education. I didn’t want to buy them and was happy in rented.

Allergictoironing

Yes i would expect land inside the M25 ring to be costing more but sometimes i fly over this green and pleaset land in a glider you can go hundreds of miles with the right sun warming the ground all quite green!

However looking at the countery it isn't that built up you can see this on Google maps. I often wonder if every village was expanded by "x" per cent with proviso that the housing was not to exceed "y" in value and be i'd say a three bedder, optium for most couples with children.

That would go quite some way to ensuring more property was to become available for mainly younger people. OK it is controilling what should be a free market but that market is in turn controlled by land supply.

The reall problem isn't who owns the properties, its more to do with the number and availabily of them!

Coming back to rental yes we once had a single mum who managed just to pay her way she was terrified once when she lost her job that was no fault of hers, nope i didnt kick her out she was a good tenant and we dropped the rent for a few months till she found another job and all was well again.

We rent in an area where the are a lot of people passing thu her for a few years then they moved on maily single young person who sahare a house and that suits them fine.

Mind you no one loves us samll priavate landlords i think we carry all the hatred and distrust of society sometimes:(

@SchrodingersImmigrant

I’ve got no idea where you’ve found a high standard in private rent. Everyone I have lived in has been damp, unsafe, poorly maintained...

Well then that's down to you, because 3 different cities, number of properties and only 1 which was crap was the super cheap shithole I lived in for few months to get my bearings around the city.

Frankly if you can't move, save or get mortgage, that's it. Not everyone will own. Having a roof over your head is a right, owning that roof certainly isn't.

That last paragraph is the point. Thankfully I will be able to buy a forever home in about a year. But for many people that is it. And whilst there are some properties which are beautiful- lots aren’t. I said all the rentals I’ve lived in, not point blank all rentals. Again we live rurally. Lots of low wages, less investment in things across the board. Having a safe place to live that meets basic needs is essential. To be able to raise issues, with your LL without fear of being evicted is also essential.

I didn’t say property ownership was essential. But I don’t think people should own everything.

I see a lot of the knee-jerkers have disappeared from this thread because they have no answers, and haven't seen the OP for a while.

about 15 years ago rental was a lot cheaper than mortgages. That hasn't been the case for some time due to ultra-low interest rates; but many are still stopped from buying due to lack of deposits. Outside the holy city of London, if you set the price of a rental property too high it doesn't rent.

Landlord licensing isn't the answer - again, many areas in London have it but there is almost no enforcement. As long as people are prepared to pay to rent shitholes, bad landlords will continue to provide shitholes. Of course moving somewhere cheaper is extremely difficult, but that's supply and demand for you. Not helped by right to buy which has removed a large amount of the housing stock. If we want more social housing we need to pay higher taxes and no-one will vote for that - as repeatedly proven.

London is also the place with buy-to-leave, due to our relatively stable currency and our democracy. That could be banned but our government is too far up the arse of 'foreign investors'.

building on greenfield when brownfield lies rotting happens because of crazy tax laws which gives breaks to new builds but not to renovations. The huge estates that most of us don't want in our areas don't come with extra schools, GPs, hospitals or public transport.

and quite a bit of that green space is used for growing food. I know Bob Geldof and his ilk believe that the source of food is Waitrose but don't follow his example.

tenants do have many rights - but so many on here seem totally unaware. It's called 'how to rent' FFS...

Not an overcrowded area, my experience personally is only managed lets through agents.

Agents are the scourge of the private rental market imo

They are often oblivious to obligations, dodge responsibilities and happily rip off both tenant and landlord.

I understand why people use agents if they are busy or love abroad, but I’ve said many, many times to other landlords - always meet your tenants yourself, make sure they know if they message the agent 6 times about a repair they know it’s ok to contact you and don’t take everything your agent says about your tenant as gospel.

I’ve only ever had two problems as a landlord. Once with a tenant leaving unexpectedly. Discovered by chance when I bumped into her in the supermarket that she had had two minor, but annoying repairs that she’d reported to the agent numerous times and they’d never passed on. By then they’d found the replacement tenant and as soon as I met him he clearly had a coke problem and his flashy salary meant fuck all when he decided not to pay. Never had an agent since

@bemusedmoose

honestly i hate people like that- it use to be that first time buyers could grab a bargain fixer-upper to get them started. Now they cant beause people like that can pay a bit more knowing they are going to flip it for vast profit in a few months. They have literally knocked the bottom rungs out of the housing market. That's why i will always be stuck renting when i dont want to.

But we aren't talking about house flipping here, quite the opposite. We're talking about people buying these same houses to do up then rent out as landlords. You can't have it both ways.

@lyralalala bang on. Agents are the issue. Im sure there are some decent ones but from working in the sector I can honestly say with both factual insight and from the pov of a landlord that they are few and far between and work to serve only themselves, not the landlord and not the tenant. The tenants fee act hopefully will have seen off the worst of them but for landlords who don't wish to be called at 2 in the morning by a tenant because their lightbulb has gone, they do look like an attractive option.

@Allergictoironing yes - I want to be able to flip houses, but noone else can... In the same paragraph.