Buy Low, Cry Later ~ Nightmare Tenants Slum Landlords

On Britain’s streets a battle is raging, over 11 million of us rent, with thousands falling victim to rogue landlords. 2 million of us are private landlords, but many face financial ruin at the hands of bad tenants. In this series we’re on the frontline with the enforcement officers who crack down on rogue landlords, and the experts whose job it is to evict bad tenants. In this episode of NTSL, a married couple get more than they bargained for with their first buy to let property after attending a course on becoming landlords. Although from Essex, they decided to buy a ‘sight unseen’ flat 300 miles away in Bedlington, where prices are lower. The hope being that buying with tenants in place would prove a smart investment, instead it’s become a nightmare. Both tenants have been arrested over 100 times for offences including, breach of the peace, and possession of drugs – behaviour that could lead to the landlords themselves being prosecuted. In Harrow housing enforcement officers are on the trail of an unscrupulous landlord. Responding to complaints about conditions in a privately owned tower block, they find communal areas with worrying signs of disrepair and damp, and every tenant reporting issues inside their homes. A young mum that been trapped there for 7 months shows the shocking state of her flat, serious leaks, dangerous electrics, mould, and even mushrooms growing from of the walls. Also in Harrow, the council housing team have further cases to deal with, they’ve heard alarming reports that a notorious exploitative landlord has started operating in the area. If they believe a property is an unlicensed house of multiple occupancy (HMO), officers are legally allowed to enter. Nobody’s in at the first, but it quicky becomes clear that the 2-bed flat is alarmingly overcrowded. The second property is suspected to have been illegally divided into flats. In Slough, Berkshire, eviction specialist Paul Shamplina is helping a landlord get rid of his non-paying tenant. 9 months ago, he stopped paying rent and ceased all communication, he now owes over £7K. The landlord won a possession order in court and the tenant is due to leave, but will he comply? Subscribe to Element 18 – https://bit.ly/337R2uO