An experienced landlord has sent this in today, which we whole-heartedly agree with at the TR Group.

RE: Shelter in the news today: More than four in 10 people face homes which fail acceptable standards - BBC News.

So Shelter claim that more than four in 10 people in Britain live in homes that do not reach acceptable standards.

"Now the landlords have changed the rules anyway and said no-one wants tenants with housing benefit, but I would need part housing benefit to help me pay for it."

The point here is that Landlords are not changing the rules - Government have changed the rules.

1. Under universal credit landlords will not be able to get direct payment of rent from the benefits departments until they have already lost 8 weeks rent which they will never see. Landlords know that when tenants have the choice of paying their rent or spending their money on booze, fags, drugs, gambling... the rent probably won't get paid.
2. Landlords are always criticized for charging too much rent - people have a choice, they are not forced to rent from private landlords; it's not our fault that there is no social housing for them.
3. Many landlords are now choosing to take long term contracts with charities that house vulnerable people - this is meeting an important need but is reducing the number of properties available to non-vulnerable tenants.
4. Some landlords are choosing to offer serviced accommodation for short term lets - this is giving people who need this type of accommodation for work and leisure a choice which is cheaper than an hotel.
5. Landlords are not social housing providers, we have the right to choose who lives in our properties and many of us are choosing to protect ourselves from rent arrears, anti social behaviour and property damage so that we can afford to pay our mortages.
6. Most landlords have bought their buy to let properties from money that they have worked hard for and saved to give them a safe future and prevent them needing state aid.
7. Many home owners would like more space too but they cannot afford it, why should tenants expect more than home owners?
8. Maybe its time that Shelter concentrated on raising funds to build more homes rather than wasting money on surveys and campaigns.
9. First time buyers cannot afford to buy their own homes because they have no job security. Landlords always buy at below market value, they would never compete with a first time buyer on price as it makes no financial sense.
10. Finally, the tax changes that begin in April have pushed many good landlords to increase rents and refuse to take risks with many only taking tenants when they can get Rent Guarantee Insurance on them - this means that they must be able to afford their rent from their earnings.

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