Private landlords 'need protection' as unemployment rises
Property professionals
20th April 2009
Landlords have been urged to protect themselves after it emerged that the number of unemployed tenants has risen five per cent.
Research by Smartlandlord.co.uk found that almost eight per cent of new tenants in the private sector are jobless.
Meanwhile, more than 40 per cent of the two million people unemployed in the UK are under the age of 25, a demographic that tends to rent properties.
Kashav Thukaram, managing director of the website, claimed the findings show that private landlords are being called upon to help provide accommodation to those let down by the social housing sector.
"There is evidence that some landlords are suffering because benefits aren't being paid on time, so landlords taking this route must ensure they know their rights," he commented.
He added that landlords should apply to have rent paid directly by the local authority if they encounter problems.
In related news, new figures from Rightmove show that asking prices for properties have fallen by 7.3 per cent this month.
