Q: I WATCHED the new BBC one documentary ‘The Week the Landlords Moved in’ last week and wondered whether or not the issues expressed within the programme are accurate and what your thoughts were.

A: For any readers who have not seen the programme, what we have are Landlords moving into the properties that they rent for a week to experience at first hand the conditions and difficulties that their tenants may experience in their day to day rental life. The tenants on the other hand are provided with alternative accommodation. So far we have only seen episode one, however what is clearly evident is that Landlords typically do not have a clue what life is really like for their tenants. I must commend the Landlords for agreeing to take part as I would agree that it is an eye opener for both the Landlords and viewers alike.

I think that too many Landlords are somewhat complacent when it comes to the needs of their Tenants. What you have not experienced at first hand is difficult for one to comprehend. Yet when you have a limited budget and rents rising something has to give. One is always advised to keep the roof over one’s head and pay the rent. Though to do this, what must one forsake? Heating is a classic example and if this means only heating one room, then this is precisely what happens. Though properties need to have some form of constant ambient heating, otherwise the fabric starts to deteriorate. Condensation and mould are classic examples seen time and time again.

With over 20 years of experience within residential lettings and sales within Stroud, I must admit that it is rare that I come across a situation as bad as those depicted within the programme. Though, I have chatted to many a Landlord who at times does not listen to the needs of their tenants and choose to do nothing or the bare minimum. For example, many a time Landlords have refused mains connected smoke alarms or the installation of extractor fans into kitchens and bathrooms stating that Building Regulations do not require them and that it has been fine for the past 30 years so what is the issue. The very fact that Building Control regulations state that these are required on all new builds should be evidence enough and have been introduced to improve living conditions. Whilst few people including Landlords seem to take any notice of EPCs ( Energy Performance Certificates), these do highlight areas where energy can be saved by installation of cheap low energy light bulbs to expensive condensing gas boilers. The biggest obstacle seems to be Landlords reluctance to want to spend any money improving the property for their tenants, yet tenants have no choice in whether or not they pay the rent and have to accept rent rises even when nothing appears to be happening to warrant a rise apart from market forces.

It was also nice to see that Landlords also needed to survive on the same weekly income as their tenants. With many Landlords earning considerable more that their tenants they at times appear to be in totally different worlds.

Taking attitudes that if one can’t afford the rent one needs to find somewhere cheaper. Yet all too often there is not somewhere cheaper. Even as we have heard in the news only this week, Government workers pay is remaining capped at one per cent, yet rents are increasing according the figures from the Office of National Statistics for the whole country at levels just over two per cent. Within Stroud I see levels increasing as some agents keep pushing the rates up to reach their own targets and increase their commission salary knowing that somebody is desperate enough to pay. Yet as Donald Trump would tweet ‘It’s all wrong, it’s wrong, it’s wrong’.

I think the biggest impact of the programme is that it allows us all to reflect on the difficulties which tenants experience and it is nice to see Landlords within the programme actually doing their bit to improve the properties on their tenant’s behalf. After all, Landlords would not be Landlords without the supply of tenants.

I am very much looking forward to watching the other episodes which can also be viewed on the iPlayer catch up service.

Please continue to send in your letting related questions to steven@sawyersestateagents.co.uk