• 15% of renters have broken a rule outlined in their tenancy agreement
• Failure to pay rent on time, smoking and keeping a pet the most frequently-cited rules broken
• One in 11 renters living contract-free, according to survey
• Renters advised to check the terms of their contract to avoid being caught out
   

New research1 by Direct Line Landlord Insurance reveals that one in seven renters have broken one or more rules outlined in their tenancy agreement.

While the majority (65%) of tenants have stuck to the rules, 15% claim to have broken the terms and conditions of their rental agreement, while a further 9% claim that they don’t have a contract at all. More than one in ten renters (11%), meanwhile, claimed that they were unsure as to whether they had actually broken any of the rules in their contract or not.

The rules tenants bend range from failing to pay the rent on time or at all (25%) to failing to regularly check the smoke or carbon monoxide alarm (10%). Other common broken rules include smoking (21%), keeping a pet (18%) and damaging or making alterations to the property (17%).

Table One: The 10 most common rules broken by tenants

Source: Direct Line for Business 2016

The most common sanctions for breaking tenancy rules include losing some or all of the deposit (52%), followed by having to pay for any damages (22%) and in some extreme cases tenants were even evicted (4%). However, more than one in five (21%) tenants say that the landlord never found out about their misdemeanours.

Nick Breton, Head of Direct Line for Business said: “The relationship a tenant has with their landlord can be crucial in the smooth running of a rented property. It is therefore of utmost importance for tenants to keep in touch with their landlords should anything arise that may be in breach of their rental agreement.

“Many landlords may be accommodating of requests to have a pet or to make changes to the property, but it is always safest to ask before doing anything to ensure that you are not breaking your contract in the process. Tenants who break the rules of their contract can face anything from the loss of their deposit to eviction, so for peace of mind, landlords should ensure they have a watertight legal contract in place to fall back on should anything happen to their property.”

Direct Line for Business has outlined its top tips for landlords to ensure that tenants stick to the rules of their contract:

• Be clear from the outset: Ensure that your adverts clearly state any rules that you feel strongly about – for example looking for non-smoking or pet-free tenants only.
• Have it agreed in writing: It is imperative to have a written tenancy agreement for your tenants. Not only will they be legally required to pay rent, but it will also clearly outline what is and what isn’t allowed in the property. It’s a good idea to go through all of the clauses and penalties with the tenants before they sign the agreement to ensure that they are clear on the rules of the tenancy.
• Maintain dialogue with your tenants: You are within your rights to make scheduled visits to your property to ensure it is being maintained to a level that was agreed in the contract. This will also ensure that tenants look after your property, and dissuade them from breaking the rules too much.
• Don’t go overboard: Try not to make too many rules. Keep it simple. Establish a trusting, positive relationship with the tenant as they’ll be even more likely to stick to the rules.
• Accept that you may need to be flexible: If you have good tenants in your property for a length of time who make a request to get a pet, you may want to consider a compromise. Keeping the value of your property is one thing, but this may be offset by the time and cost of finding new tenants if it becomes a deal breaker.
   

Direct Line for Business offers a Legal Documents service to new and renewing landlord insurance customers. The service provides a range of legal documents including tenancy agreements and repossession notices. It employs a sophisticated document automation system enabling landlords to build legal documents quickly and easily.  To ensure the documents are legally compliant, landlords can send them at no extra cost to MyLawyer Solicitors LLP, a Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regulated law firm, which will conduct a review, answer any questions and make any necessary amendments, all within three working days.

For further details on Direct Line for Business’ Legal Documents Service visit https://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk/legal-documents/landlord
 

-Ends-

Notes to Editors

1 Direct Line for Businesses’ research conducted between 19th and 22nd August 2016 by Opinium Research amongst a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults, of which 938 (47%) rent their properties from a private landlord. Opinium Research is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

 

For further information please contact:

Direct Line for Business

Jade Trimbee

PR Manager

Tel: 01372 839 452

Mobile: 07825 315 931

Email: [email protected]

 

Direct Line for Business

Launched in 2007 Direct Line for Business provides a range of insurance products for the small business sector direct by phone or on-line.

Direct Line for Business insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line for Business and U K Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line for Business products or get a quote by calling 0345 301 4827 or visiting www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk

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