More Than 125,000 Tenants are Being Abused by Landlords

According to Shelter, more than 125,000 private tenants have suffered as a result of abusive behaviour from landlords in 2014.

The housing charity, which has warned of a small number of private landlords making life unbearable for tenants, received almost 17,000 calls to its helpline about landlord problems last year. Complaints ranged from landlords cutting utilities off to burning tenants' belongings.

Mark Cook, helpline adviser at Shelter, said:

"Every day at Shelter we speak to people desperate for help because their lives are being made unbearable by a rogue landlord. Some of their experiences are truly awful - from renters who have been illegally evicted and had their belongings burned, to those who've had their utilities cut off because their landlord wants to intimidate them.

"No one should have to put up with a landlord who breaks the law and it's so important to know your rights as a renter. Shelter is here to help anyone having problems with their landlord."

The findings are based on a survey carried out by Shelter, which revealed 60 out of 3,792 people had experienced or witnessed abusive behaviour by a landlord or letting agent in 2014. The data was then applied to the English Housing Survey and Census data to reach the estimated figure of 125,000.

If you're currently renting but are in the process of purchasing your own property, contact our conveyancing solicitors on 01204 526 465 for advice.

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