
Number of "accidental landlords" on the rise, insist FLAC

In its annual report for last year, FLAC says there was an increase in the number of calls coming from what it describes as “accidental” landlords.
The centre says that these landlords do not understand their rights or responsibilities because they rent out their properties in a hurry to meet their mortgage repayments.
The report also reveals that over 25,000 people contacted its phone lines and centres last year.
The organisation welcomed the passage of the Personal Insolvency legislation last year, which aims to give people an opportunity to resolve their indebtednesses.
“The centre says that these landlords do not understand their rights or responsibilities because they rent out their properties in a hurry to meet their mortgage repayments.”
I find this statement difficult to accept.
Many who rent do not register with the associated government Quango as they do not wish to pay 50% of this income in tax.
This is because they, in turn, are paying out already taxed income, to rent a larger property.
More and more people are defying the laws (such as property taxes) which -if adhered to-would leave them penniless.
Desperate people have little to lose from such defiance,and many many people are truly desperate.