Prominent agent slams Shelter after ‘misleading’ attack on landlords
Former ARLA Propertymark President David Votta says organisation is guilty of grabbing headlines to bash landlords in unfair campaign.
A leading agent has blasted Shelter for ‘headline grabbing’ and attacking landlords unfairly.
David Votta, who is the owner of Votta Sales & Lettings and a former Propertymark ARLA President (main picture), says: “These headline grabbers are getting worse! The sensationalism is absurd!”
He was highlighting a case taken up by Shelter and reported in the Mirror involving a family who say they were evicted five days before Christmas.
And an eight-year-old was served the eviction notice, according to Shelter.
Rental sector mess
Votta says: “The notice was served on the 20th December [2023] so they were “asked” to leave on 21st February the following year, but that first two sentences are more powerful as opposed to the truth.
“Another reason why we are in the mess we are in with the private rented sector,” he adds in a LinkedIn post.
He is supported by other agents and property experts who responded to his post.
£80M Shelter revenue makes sure the media machine is oiled with propaganda to suit.”
Des Taylor, an HMO licensing consultant, says: “£80M Shelter revenue makes sure the media machine is oiled with propaganda to suit. £80M would build some houses and house some people.”
Damien Cooke, MD of Cooke & Co agency, says: “A typical media and government-led narrative often paints landlords as villains and tenants as victims.
“While there are undoubtedly instances of poor landlord practices, this one-sided portrayal overlooks the countless responsible landlords who face genuine struggles.”
And Natasha Barrett Fuller, Assistant Lettings Manager at Regis Group, says: “No consideration for the landlord’s circumstances, as to why they require their property back, plus lacks any facts re arrears / ASB etc (although appreciate this may not be relevant to this specific case).”
Main picture: Christoper Watkin YouTube
Unlike other industries we do not have a voice to represent us all. We are fragmented and until we get a media presence this will not change. When Shelter speaks the media are all over it, same with Generation Rent. Professional landlords can’t comment because the media have no-one to ask that has a degree of credibility.
Government seem determined to make the lettings business increasingly difficult, we have nobody anyone listens too and continue to be pilloried from all directions
The NRLA have no voice at any level and do not represent professional landlords. We need a whole new approach with an Oganisation that can work towards turning this around . Without this the future will be even bleaker.
I don’t know who, but you are so right. Landlords do need a voice! A national body, being only a very small landlord with a property for income is a struggle!! Caught up in English medieval Fleecehold laws, that are so outdated and unfair, leaning massively to rich property developers and owners, who built flats and charge rip off ground rents, and service charges. Forcing up rents! It is these people and practices that drive up rents!! These people that trap people in their fleeceholds and make them so hard to sell at a loss!! Ground rents should be done away with. Service companies should have to be put out for tender! Buildings of flats should have to have a forum set up with all owners, so they can discuss and talk and make decisions with one voice!! If it wasn’t for private investors, there would be thousands less properties on the market for rental. Investment surely needs encouragement not constantly bashed
I guarantee the vast majority of donors to Shelter think their money is going towards housing the homeless while the truth is they house no-one. They are a headline grabbing pressure group with a highly suspect ideological agenda serving no helpful purpose for the people they purport to ‘shelter’ and using a few examples of disreputable landlords to besmirch the majority providing an essential service against ever increasing obstacles far better than the chaotic Social Housing Sector that they should be highlighting.
This is nothing new, Shelter have always been anti-landlord.
Unfortunately, the media and Government (in an attempt to win the votes of younger people who rent) are shortsightedly, demonising landlords.
When will the general public wake up to the fact that landlords are not a public service? If the risk outweighs the reward landlords will invest elsewhere and who could blame them?
The perfect storm is coming, The Renters Rights Act will do more damage than we can predict and a strong sales market will simply encourage even more landlords to leave the PRS.
Totally agree – Shelter have done so much harm for Tenants due to their shortsightedness