Buy to let landlord has house trashed by tenant

The recent case in the paper of a landlord who had his property wrecked by a bad tenant shows the importance of landlords insurance and the handling evictions properly.

The landlord, named only as Dave, has criticised the council for rehousing a drug addicted tenant after she caused nearly £4,000 worth of damage to his property. The landlord also says he found used syringes in his property.

The landlord pointed out that the council hadn’t asked him why he had evicted the tenant before they moved her on to another property. This means the new landlord does not know that they have a bad tenant or whether they are in in rent arrears.

The landlord explained that his front door is smashed where the police raided the home, the carpets and walls are stained and the bathroom suite has been ripped off the wall.

A spokesman for Aylesbury Vale District Council said: “Applications are checked at the point of registration and prior to rehousing, and by home visit if appropriate. We are not obliged to divulge information about a housing applicant to a private landlord and similarly, a private landlord has no obligation to the tenant or ourselves to provide any reason why he is seeking possession of an assured shorthold tenancy.”

The article highlights the need for a good landlords insurance policy in place when you let out a property. When you take out cover, don’t be tempted to simply go for the cheapest option. Check exactly what it covers you for. It should be able to cover you for loss of income from when a tenant stops paying their rent and also the cost of repairing damage – whether it is accidental or malicious. Read the small print before signing up to a policy and check what excess you’ll have to pay. As the landlord above will be able to vouch, landlords insurance is a vital part of the lettings process.