Property industry leaders are pressing the Government to help landlords deal with tenants who abandon properties.

Propertymark’s CEO Nathan Emerson has written to Housing Secretary Michael Gove on behalf of a housing sector coalition, calling for stronger protections for landlords.

After the first reading of the Renters Reform Bill in May, Propertymark was concerned about the ‘key issue’ of abandonment of tenancies.

Burdens

An abandoned property can increase landlord overheads such as raised insurance costs, and add burdens like ensuring tenant possessions are looked after.

Also, any abandoned property brings challenges such as preventing it being a target for anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

Tenants can return to the property at any point, meaning it cannot be relet or occupied by anyone else.

Unlikely

In Wales, under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, if a landlord believes their property has been abandoned, they must make efforts to contact the tenant for a month, and then they can end the tenancy.

This approach recognises that a landlord is very unlikely to try and take back possession of a property unless they are certain that is has been abandoned.

The Housing Coalition’s letter recommends the Government should consider including similar provisions in the Renters Reform Bill.

In limbo

Unlocking these properties currently stuck in limbo would help maximise the number of homes available for rent, reduce the risks associated with unoccupied properties and give greater security to landlords, the coalition says.

An alternative proposal would be to bring into force the provisions on abandonment under Part 3 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

The Housing Coalition is made up of membership organisations for property agents and landlords, trade press, plus other housing and legal professionals, and campaigns for improvements in the private rented sector.