Tag Archives: tenants
UK residential tenants out of pocket from unexpected rental costs
Tenants in the UK are being caught out by unexpected costs not covered by their landlord, for example boiler repairs, flood damage, and property maintenance, new research shows. Some 14% are facing unexpected costs of £165.41 per person on average each year with 70% of them not agreeing with the reasons for the charges given by their landlords, the study from insurance providers Endsleigh shows. The study also shows that 47% were not expecting yearly rises in rent, worsened by a high confusion of the possible effects of the recent 3% surcharge on stamp duty. It found that 45% of tenants are unaware of what is their responsibility when it comes to tenancy agreements, driving apart expectations between landlords and tenants across the country. The study also sheds lights on the current relationship between tenants and landlords. Despite possible grievances, some 83% of tenants surveyed said they were happy with their current landlord, while 41% of landlords say they would unreservedly go an extra mile to keep their tenants happy. Unknowingly to tenants, some 28% of landlords say they would absorb the cost of rental increases to keep reliable tenants in their property for a longer period. ‘Although the research could paint a picture of discontent in the worlds of both landlords and tenants, the positives far outweigh the worries. Noticing the number of landlords surveyed willing to go the extra mile for their tenants is reassuring to say the least, highlighting the fact that they are valued, and listened to,’ said David Hadden, head of property at Endsleigh Insurance. ‘Inevitably, costs will continue to be held high on the tenants’ agenda, and though unexpected charges may occur in some cases, hearing that almost a third of landlords will absorb these is very encouraging,’ he added. Continue reading