Property TV star bows out of evictions show as ‘times change’

The property industry’s ‘public face of evictions’, TV presenter Paul Shamplina, has revealed that he will no longer be appearing on the programme that helped make him famous, Channel 5’s Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords.

After nearly eight years and over 70 episode appearances helping landlords repossess properties and fighting rogue agents and tenants, Shamplina says it’s time to throw in the towel, although he’s keen to appear in TV and radio shows about the wider property market.

“Even if Channel 5 were to commission another series of the show then – although the programme has been interesting and exciting to be a part of – I won’t be appearing on it or any other evictions programmes going forward,” he adds.

“Everyone needs to be sensitive at the moment about tenants, who have taken a battering in recent months as the shortage of stock creates ever-rising rents although of course landlords are facing difficulties too.”

Fanbase

Many will be sorry to see Shamplina exit the show. As well as a keen fanbase in the UK including some 1.5 million viewers of some episodes, it has been seen in Europe, New Zealand and Australia and been on Netflix in the USA.

“Sometimes it’s tough – I’ve been spat at by one disgruntled tenant – but it can also be amazing, and I helped one viewer propose to his girlfriend after he contacted me and asked for help,” he says.

Although it’s the “end of an era” for Shamplina, the evictions business he heads up has never been more in demand.

“Last year was the busiest, with 2023 expected to be even more so, given the cost of living crisis and a big rise in landlords exiting the industry,” he says.

“I’m also going to have a full diary this year because the sector will soon see significant changes when the Government’s PRS reforms go live which will adversely affect both landlords and letting agents,” he says.