Landlords 'should show compassion to flood victims'
News Category: Industry News
Published: 10-Aug-2007
A consumer group has asked landlords and letting agents to be reasonable and help their tenants out in the aftermath of June and July's flooding.
Many people found their homes uninhabitable after the torrential rain of the last two months and Citizens Advice has now asked landlords and agents to be reasonable when it comes to collecting rent.
The charity called on landlords to either not charge while a property remained uninhabitable or pay for their tenants to live somewhere else.
In addition, Citizens Advice called on landlords to show forbearance in the coming months if their tenants struggle to make their rent as a result of the disaster.
"Even though the water levels have subsided people are faced with the prospect of heavy repair bills or the fact that they won't be able to return to their homes for many months," explained Citizens Advice's head of housing, Ruth Bamford.
"As a result people need to know what rights they have in this situation and whether they are liable to pay rent, mortgage or council tax on a property that they cannot effectively live in."
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has suggested that recent flooding will cost in excess of £3 billion to sort out.
