York tenants in crisis

10:35am Friday 11th January 2013 in Letters By Reader's letter

BEN YOUNG is right to ask when politicians will bring private rental agencies under control (Letters, January 7).

Tenants are faced with numerous fees when applying for tenancy, with some even charging to renew tenancy agreements. These charges and the high bonds make it difficult for those on low incomes or benefits to gain access to rented accommodation.

With more families moving into the rental sector, there is also a need to offer stability with long-term leases. At present, tenants face the prospect of landlords suddenly putting their house on the market or demanding high-level rent increases.

These problems need to be addressed with urgency. The 2011 census showed that for the first time in 60 years since records began, home ownership has fallen, with a 79 per cent increase in proportion of all households renting in the York area since the previous census in 2001. All trends show that the rental market is going to continue to increase, with a recent study by Cambridge University projecting that if the UK economy stays stagnant, only 27 per cent of people will be in “mortgaged home ownership” by 2025.

York Housing Crisis Campaign has been formed to campaign on the problems faced by residents. To find out more, contact us via facebook.com/YorksHousingCrisis or yorkwelfarecampaign.wordpress.com/

Andrew Collingwood, Langwith Lane, York

Comments(4)

Mulgrave says...
1:31pm Fri 11 Jan 13

The length of tenancy is an interesting point, and it would benefit landlords with a long term outlook to offer long leases to tenants who are sure they are in a settled position. However I just know who the bad guy will be if the parties willingly sign to say a 5 year contract and then the tenant gets a job transfer and wants to move after 2 years but can't.

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Mark Bentley says...
4:57pm Fri 11 Jan 13

Tenancy agreements usually have a certain amount of flexibility built into them. Fore example, your typical Assured Shorthold Tenancy will allow the occupant to move out after 3 months as long as the occupant can find someone to move in in their place. So the landlord is guaranteed rent for a year, and the tenant a place to live for a year with the possibility to move out after 3 months. I imagine longer tenancies can have similar arrangements, which suit both landlords and tenants.

In the present situation with agencies charging fees for the renewal of assured tenancy agreements, many people aren't renewing in order to save costs. The agreement then becomes a rolling contract, which requires only one months notice for either party to terminate. When rented accommodation is in high demand, this arrangement benefits landlords and can massively inconvenience tenants.

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Sage9 says...
9:10pm Fri 11 Jan 13

I do not fully understand. I run an agency. We charge £70 for a single tenant plus £30 for each adult. Agreements are for six months and automatically go periodic. There is only a further fee if the tenant wants to renew for a fixed period. None ever do. My longest current tenancy is 13 years.

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Mulgrave says...
1:00pm Sat 12 Jan 13

I have rented out unfurnished houses in East Yorkshire for over 20 years, I currently have 3 tenants whose initial 6 month ASTs went periodic in 2000, 2003 and 2004 respectively, the highest rent is currently £400 per month, and whilst I must give 2 months notice, the tenants only need to give 1 month.

This suits both myself and the tenants, however I have just heard Ed Milliband huffing and puffing about what he will do when Labour are returned to power, and whilst I do not condone unfair and unreasonable charges or poor treatment of tenants, forcing extra bureaucracy and cost into the process for decent landlords will lead to higher rents for all, whilst the real bad apples will just ignore the law if the market is in their favour.

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