 | BBC Radio 4's Money Box Live Wednesday, 01 February 2012 at 1502 GMT On Radio 4 and Online |
Rents are continuing to rise, as demand outstrips supply. The Association of Residential Letting Agentssays 55% of its members report that there are still more tenants needing a home than there are properties available to rent. The shortage of housing is partly caused by would-be buyers forced to rent because they cannot raise a deposit or get a mortgage. And, as the economy continues to stagnate, and unemployment rises, the number of tenants struggling to pay their rent has also increased. And, from this month, more people needing help with their rent will be affected by big changes in local housing allowance that came into force last April. If you are one of them, can you still afford the same property or do you have to move to a cheaper place? Will you get any extra help to cover the costs? If you are looking to rent, how can you be sure you are not paying too much? Perhaps you are planning to rent out your property because you cannot sell it. One of the so-called "reluctant landlords". So what must you do before you put it on the rental market? When a deposit is paid at the start of a let, how will new rules affect both tenants and landlords? And who is responsible for burst pipes or a faulty boiler? Vincent Duggleby was joined by: - John Gallagher, principal solicitor at Shelter
- David Salusbury, Chairman, National Landlords Association
- Marveen Smith, Partner of Solicitors Pain Smith
Presenter: Vincent Duggleby
Producer: Sally Abrahams
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