Research shows renters ‘twice as likely to experience legal problems as homeowners’
People living in rented accommodation are twice as likely to experience some kinds of non-housing-related legal problems as those living in other types of housing, according to a major research study.
The study, funded by The Legal Education Foundation, is the first time researchers have looked at the link between rented accommodation and legal problems that are not directly related to their housing.
The main findings of the report, ‘Legal Problems of Renters’ by Pascoe Pleasence and Nigel Balmer include:
- One in 10 renters had a legal problem relating directly to their housing, such as disrepair or eviction.
- Renters are twice as likely as those with mortgages to suffer certain types of other legal issues, such as neighbour disputes, debt, or benefits problems (see notes for editors).
- Renters’ housing problems take a long time to resolve: half were unresolved after a year; a quarter were unresolved after two years.
- Private renters are more likely than those renting in the public sector to have non-housing related legal problems (40 per cent, compared with 32 per cent).
- Renters most likely to suffer legal problems are the young, single parents and cohabitants with children.
- Few renters realised that their housing difficulty was a legal problem: nearly half (47 per cent) put it down to ‘bad luck’. Only 15 per cent identified it as a legal problem.
- Nearly three-quarters of renters with housing problems tried to resolve them on their own or only took informal advice. A total of 10 per cent sought help either from the advice sector (5 per cent) or a solicitor (5 per cent).
- Those who own their homes outright are the least likely to suffer legal problems.
- Respondents found legal problems to do with rented housing harder to understand than they did other types of problem, say, to do with owned housing or consumer products.
The findings are based on interviews with 4,000 people, who were questioned on two occasions, two years apart, to trace the impact of legal problems over time.
The study uncovered widespread lack of awareness among the general population over the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. Significantly, those living in rented accommodation had no greater understanding of the law around renting than those living in other types of housing, despite being directly affected by these issues.
Matthew Smerdon, chief executive of The Legal Education Foundation said:
‘One of the most surprising findings from this important piece of research is the degree to which people renting their homes are more prone to experiencing legal problems across the board – not just in relation to their housing. Renters are twice as likely as those with mortgages to have problems with debt, welfare benefits or neighbours. Few renters realise that these are legal problems, mainly putting their difficulties down to bad luck, which makes people reluctant to seek professional help. Many renters may be failing to have their rights protected as a result.’
Commenting on the Legal Education Foundation’s research, Shelter’s chief executive Campbell Robb said:
‘Sadly – as our housing shortage pushes more and more people into broken private renting – it’s no surprise that so many renters don’t know their legal rights. Every day, we hear from families living in homes that put their health and wellbeing at risk, with rogue landlords who refuse to keep their properties safe and decent. At the same time, many renters are dealing with issues like unprotected deposits and unfair tenancy agreements, often not knowing what their rights are, or that they have any at all.
‘Any renter who is unsure of their rights should get advice right away. Shelter is here to help, and our free expert advice is available online or through our helpline.’
A summary of the research is available here
The full report is available here
SOURCE: http://www.thelegaleducationfoundation.org
Any other questions you have regarding this or other legal matters, visit LegalYou.com.
This report is about England, not the US.
I don’t know…. but this article kind of reminds me of an article that a bank Shill would write trying to get the housing market to pick up again. I mean really? “Renters are twice as likely as those with mortgages to suffer certain types of other legal issues, such as neighbour disputes, debt, or benefits problems “… it’s like Voodoo! If you rent you’re gonna end up having legal problems. Or the next one down “Renters’ housing problems take a long time to resolve: half were unresolved after a year; a quarter were unresolved after two years.”…. I personally know people STILL in foreclosure litigation now going on 9 years! How about “Private renters are more likely than those renting in the public sector to have non-housing related legal problems (40 per cent, compared with 32 per cent).” ….. which sounds like a warning not to rent from someone who just owns a rental property… its just safer to rent from the Big Boys… you know, the Hedge Funds that bought up 100’s of thousands of properties for nothing and now want to profit mightily off of the rents… before the properties deteriorate to the point of dilapidation and they have to transfer them out of their name into some other legal entity )think Enron) to avoid liability. The whole article just smells of an Industry shill IMHO.
I agree John. Lost my home of 40 years cause I had too much equity. I was a target for tgeir crimes
My bosses daughter has such a problem. Board of Health CONDEMNED her apartment because of mold issues. She had to move out because of Health Dept.court order, so now shifty landlord is suing HER for non payment of rent, breaking lease, and also refuses to give back her rental deposit. He does not have a leg to stand on but is assuming that she can not afford to win. I’ve seen this trick before. She’s retained a lawyer and time will tell!
While my house is in foreclosure I have rented my house out…the tennant has not paid rent if four months….I have spent hours on line to the eportal submitted documents, paying fees and now she wants a hearing outside of the five days…..Renters run it with the help of the Republican Legislature.