Landlords 'must be aware of tenants' problems - buy to let mortgages

03 March 2009

Landlords must be aware of problems that tenants may face in the wake of the economic downturn, it has been claimed.

Simon Gordon, head of communications at the National Landlords Association (NLA), offered some advice to those with buy to let mortgages on how to deal with occupants who are unable to pay their rent due to job losses.

It is important that landlords are kept "abreast" of their tenants' situations, he said, adding that buy to let investors may be placed under "financial pressures" if rent payments are not made.

"Landlords are certainly aware that their tenants are going to be having problems in the current economic climate," Mr Gordon remarked.

He went on to stress the importance of people claiming local housing allowance to help them cover rent, advising those who do become unemployed to visit the job centre as soon as possible to sort out benefits.

Last year, the NLA took an average of 2,500 calls each month from landlords seeking advice on matters such as rent arrears.