07/07/2009 - Tenants `have trouble paying rent`
Rising unemployment means that more domestic tenants are struggling to pay their rent, according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (Arla). It says that in the past six months, three quarters of its members have reported difficulties, while nearly all have seen a rise in the number of tenants haggling with their landlords.
The association identifies two issues in particular beside financial problems: attempts to benefit from falling rents owing to an oversupply of properties to let, and housing benefit delays. Said Arla operations manager Ian Potter: "Tenants who have become unemployed and applied for local housing allowance will automatically fall into the late-payment category, as the benefit is unhelpfully paid monthly in arrears when rents are due in advance."
Meanwhile, Shelter chief executive Sam Younger commented: "While we welcome the raft of initiatives the Government has introduced to protect homeowners in mortgage arrears, Shelter would like to see further attention given to supporting tenants who are finding it just as difficult to make ends meet."
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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