Rent Dodger Lives Here!

tomstickland

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7657933.stm

Incisor

It is an interesting way of handling the issue at the expense of the rental and resale value of all the other properties in the streets concerned.

lynzpower

The problem is that in my experience these idiocy schemes just dont work.

If someone put this board on my house for arrears, the first thing one might consider is doing a moonlight flit.

I can see a LOT of people not being able to pay thier rent, not least due to the shocking way that housing benefit is administered here.

I wonder if this would constitute breach of the data protection act. After all who are the LA to be able to share that information with passers by? I can see plenty of EAs not being able to meet thier committments.

"Shame" has never worked as a way to make people pay, generally you have the majority who want to pay but cant ( lost job, HB etc) and a hardcore who HAVE no shame and are not bothered. We have tried shame before, ( benefits dodging, ASB photos in newspapers) and it generally doesnt work.

Might send a speculative email to the info commmissioner

Neillgb

I think it's a great idea!!

What about bankrupts and people who seek handouts from the taxpayer to pay their mortgage??

ad9898_3

How about putting this on an EA's window "Professional Liar Works Here"

vivatifosi

lynzpower wrote: »

I wonder if this would constitute breach of the data protection act. After all who are the LA to be able to share that information with passers by? I can see plenty of EAs not being able to meet thier committments.

That was my thought too. The Information Commissioner is quite clear on their view on what should happen to tenant information as its published here:

http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/practical_application/disclosing_info_about_tenants_v3.0_150708.pdf

Good luck with that speculative e-mail;)

abaxas

Easy to fix.

Just get a 'suspected peadophile lives here' sign made. And stick it the LLs or EAs house when he/she's out.

avinabacca

Sent to the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) just now- [EMAIL="notification@ico.gsi.gov.uk"]notification@ico.gsi.gov.uk[/EMAIL] :

"Good morning,

I have noticed on the BBC website this morning a story regarding a letting agency, Sutton Estates, who are now beginning to fix large signs to the houses of tenants of theirs who have not paid rent:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7657933.stm

http://www.suttonestates.org.uk/

I understand that this may be a breach of the Data Protection Act - indeed, the document "Data Protection Good Practice Note - Disclosing information about tenants" available on your website explicitly states that:

"...it is only justifiable to tell tenants if someone has not paid their rent if this has a direct effect on them, for example, if they become legally responsible to help meet any shortfall in shared maintenance charges."

I would suggest that fixing a large sign to the side of the defaulting tenant's house with the message "RENT DODGER LIVES HERE" is very much in breach of this, and hope that you will act against this.

Many thanks."

Job's a good'un.......

lynzpower

Excellent I didnt have time this morning

Yet another property "professional " who feel that they can operate outside the law.

Heres hoping :beer:

Neillgb

ad9898 wrote: »

How about putting this on an EA's window "Professional Liar Works Here"

Yep, fair enough.

Neillgb

avinabacca wrote: »

Sent to the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) just now- [EMAIL="notification@ico.gsi.gov.uk"]notification@ico.gsi.gov.uk[/EMAIL] :

"Good morning,

I have noticed on the BBC website this morning a story regarding a letting agency, Sutton Estates, who are now beginning to fix large signs to the houses of tenants of theirs who have not paid rent:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7657933.stm

http://www.suttonestates.org.uk/

I understand that this may be a breach of the Data Protection Act - indeed, the document "Data Protection Good Practice Note - Disclosing information about tenants" available on your website explicitly states that:

"...it is only justifiable to tell tenants if someone has not paid their rent if this has a direct effect on them, for example, if they become legally responsible to help meet any shortfall in shared maintenance charges."

I would suggest that fixing a large sign to the side of the defaulting tenant's house with the message "RENT DODGER LIVES HERE" is very much in breach of this, and hope that you will act against this.

Many thanks."

Job's a good'un.......

Here, here!!!!

Lets not let the fact that people don't pay their debts/rent get in the way of the Data Protection Act.......I mean they might be embarrassed. Bless 'em.