Landlord names and shames tenants
A “rent dodger lives here” sign is being placed on the windows of tenants who are not paying for their rent, by a letting agent who has found this is her last resort in a bid to receive rent payments.
The Landlord in Dundee, who has so far put one of her signs up on a flat, says that she has more houses on her list to hit with the naming and shaming method.
The idea came from the landlord as many of her tenants, who receive local housing allowance, were refusing to hand over the rent. Up until April 2009, the housing allowance was paid straight to the landlord, without touching the tenant’s pocket, meaning there were never any discrepancies between the landlord and tenant.
The signs are a last resort following attempted communication from the letting agent, including telephone calls and letters to chase the owed rent.
The Homeless Charity, ‘Shelter’, is completely against the signs and is currently putting their objections to Dundee City Council. They commented that it is due to the recession that tenants are struggling to pay their rent and feel that by putting the signs up the tenants are being exposed to public humiliation.
Other landlords in the area, who feel that this is a good way to name and shame tenants as last resort when chasing their rent, have requested signs.
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July 13th 2009
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