Scapegoating Landlords ?

clutton_2

Scapegoating landlords

In recent weeks/months this forum seems to be taking an utter delight in finding prolonging stories (sometimes beyond all reason) about a tiny number of landlords who are behaving badly.

There seems to be almost a sense of gleeful hysteria… “” lets find another one…. Lets REALLY have a got at this person - lets Really investigate this person and threaten them with exposure of personal details not only of them but their families also”

So much so that two threads have been pulled/frozen. This is a rare occurrence on MSE.

I think this is becoming like a witch-hunt…. And I think it has got out of hand…..

I think it started with “Retraction” about IRD homes – to which I contributed in the early days.. but that thread is still going on in a relentless “lets not let this thread die every” kind of a way……

Then the Landlord Referencing Service thread which REALLY brought out the worst in people - landlord and tenant I have to say

then the deleted story about the Brighton landlady who got GMT involved – many posts on this thread just got utterly hysterical and out of control……

Then the follow-on Tent Thread - which is still ongoing – although the media dropped this story ages ago..

Then the Evict a Rogue Landlord thread



You never see landlords naming bad tenants in the public domain… and slagging them off in this manner….


I don’t see why this vendetta against landlords should continue…..


Perhaps we need to draw breath and stop being so “goaded” into over-the-top comments

I have started this thread to ask for some restraint…..

No doubt some will find this post offensive …. That’s forums for you

mrstinchcombe

clutton wrote: »

You never see landlords naming bad tenants in the public domain… and slagging them off in this manner….

Hahaha!

Yes they do!

brit1234

Sorry I think bad landlords should be allowed to be named and shamed. For example the threatening behaviour of Mr Sunil Dhown of IRD Homes.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2576709

I am sure there are good landlords out there however what ever the forum the bad always get mentioned more than the good. That could be gyms, hotels or frozen goods as well as landlords

Doctor_Gloom

clutton wrote: »

Scapegoating landlords

At least 50% of them are rogues. So they're fair game as far as I'm concerned. anyway, I'm sure they're big boys and girls now and can handle a bit of criticism on an internet forum.

StudentMoneySaver

Doctor_Gloom wrote: »

At least 50% of them are rogues. So they're fair game as far as I'm concerned. anyway, I'm sure they're big boys and girls now and can handle a bit of criticism on an internet forum.

50% is a bit high for outright rogue landlords (as opposed to dangerously ill educated ones), I'd plump for less than 10% (probably less than 5%) but any percentage of rogues is too high.

The allure of discussing rogues stems from the fact that there is rarely any recourse against them, especially ones who act extremely dodgily but have not technically committed a crime. The ones exposed on this forum have either been convicted of an offence or there is enough evidence to suggest they are rogues.

Brb

Clutton, you know I respect you but I would think as this is a consumer site and in the LL/T relationship the T is the consumer that you would see more posts from tenant's side. We should though appreciate that we do have several good LLs on these boards who do help out giving advice.

I do see a bit of ranting about tenants over on LLZ, that board being set up where I would say the LL is the consumer (though they do obviously give advice to tenants too). I would say the threads don't go on and on though because ultimately the advice is more legally based regarding S21s, S8s etc.

I've never condoned the actions of a bad tenant. More often than not it's a LHA claimant and I get tarred with same brush when in reality I am probably better with the monies I receive than some with a mortgage and high paying job.

Whilst I do consider myself pretty clued up on my rights as a tenant if I was to become a LL (hey I could win the lottery lol!) I wouldn't consider myself clued up enough and would attend courses/join appropriate schemes etc to ensure I did a good job! Unfortunately there are hundreds (if not more) accidental LLs out there that are making tenants' lives a misery by not doing the right thing. These are the ppl that are hurting your profession.

FATBALLZ

Good landlords have nothing to worry about, only the scum. Tenants have got the short end of the stick for way too long and the more they learn to fight back the better, if this site can contribute any small amount to better legislation so that people priced out of home ownership by greedy scum can have a secure and inexpensive alternative for bringing up families the better.

clutton_2

""
Originally Posted by clutton


You never see landlords naming bad tenants in the public domain… and slagging them off in this manner….


Hahaha!

Yes they do! ""

Mrs Tinchcombe - i would be most interested to know where ?

cheap_charlie

I think with regards to the Tent Thread the landlady in question was happy to put herself out there in the public eye and basically used the media to collude in what struck many as at best harassment and at worst an illegal eviction.

In her case I have to conclude she's fair game and a prime example of why you should think very carefully before going on TV with allegations which are economical with the truth.

clutton_2

i am NOT saying that any of these cases should not be in the public domain.. i just think the amount of time spent on dredging them up time and time again and the relish with which some posters were finding out personal details and threatening to publish them smacked of witch-huntery.... and hysteria

i have never equated MSE forums with the style and content of the Daily Mirror - but lately i have - and i begin to wonder why i am still here to be honest......

theartfullodger

Fair comment

Clutton your contributions, advice & volume of work show the value you've delivered, as do the "thanks" you've accumulated (many more than I'll ever get).

Unreserved apologies if you or any other decent landlord feels I've goaded them for being a rogue landlord.

The posters here really really need the advice & help of people such as yourself who actually know the area and have the experience & training.. Please stay!!

Artful