Tenants In Largest Debt Since 80s

Tue, 05 May 2009

Debt among Britain’s housing tenants is at its highest for 20 years, according to the National Landlords Association .

The landlords group said the situation was "pretty dire, with hundreds of thousands of Brits falling behind with rental payments, largely due to rising unemployment .

The association has taken more than 20,000 calls from landlords concerned about rent arrears over the past twelve months.

But it added that tenants are also coming under severe strain, with at least a third of its members owing money .

Adam Sampson, member of the Shelter housing charity, said the government should now offer tenants support similar to that which has been given to the country’s debt-laden homeowners .

"The government needs to look to see how the payment of housing benefit can be speeded up otherwise more tenants are likely to become homeless," he explained.

Landlords are also being urged to be more considerate to tenants who are made redundant, and cannot afford to pay their rent as a result.

Experts say people in such a position should be able to talk to their tenants and offered breathing space.
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