Do landlords have a responsibility for their tenants' actions? Metro readers share their opinions.

MetroTalk: Readers discuss landlord duties, mental health management, and Keir Starmer's hits and misses.

September 18th 2024.

Do landlords have a responsibility for their tenants' actions? Metro readers share their opinions.
Landlords often face challenges in their line of work, as readers have pointed out. One reader, Victor Parks, suggests that landlords should be held accountable for their tenants' behavior. However, this is not a practical solution as it would place landlords in the role of law enforcement agencies, who are responsible for handling issues such as breaches of peace and antisocial behavior.

In fact, being a landlord involves navigating through 170 different laws and regulations, not just at the start of a tenancy, but throughout its duration. And all for an average yield of only 4.7% in the UK. This means taking on a significant amount of risk, with very little return. No wonder some landlords are leaving the sector, especially when there is a shortage of public housing to replace their properties.

It's a common misconception that landlords have control over their tenants' behavior. In reality, they do not have the means or the incentive to do so. And if a landlord has to evict a tenant for causing trouble, they are left with the financial burden. Landlords also do not have a duty of care to the wider community, as they already provide services that should be carried out by other organizations, such as immigration authorities and financial services authorities.

As a private rented-sector landlord, it often feels like a thankless job. Many of us are left wondering, "Why am I doing this?" Raj Patel, a landlord from South London, shares this sentiment.

But there is still room for improvement. One reader, Robert Hughes, suggests that full tax relief should be restored for landlords' financing costs, as they are treated as investors rather than businesses. This is an inequitable situation that needs to be addressed.

In other news, MP Diane Abbott has spoken out about being treated as a 'non-person' by her own party leader, Sir Keir Starmer. This is just one example of the unfair treatment that some MPs have faced within the Labour Party. It's a shame that the party, which used to stand for diversity and tolerance, is now purging its own members based on their political views.

On a brighter note, reader Andrew McLuskey suggests using revenue from wealth taxes to improve social care and merge mental health services with the rest of the NHS. This would not only save money, but also provide better care for those in need.

Lastly, one reader, Chris Shepherd, argues that it is crucial for the UK to continue supporting Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression. Giving in to their demands would only lead to further conflicts and could potentially put other countries at risk. Sir Keir Starmer, with his expensive glasses, understands this and stands on the right side of history.

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