1. 30 per cent of UK tenants think it is acceptable to take items from a rented property
   
2. One in five (21 per cent) tenants who took an item from a rented property didn’t complete an inventory before moving in
   
3. Estimated value of stolen items per household stands at £509
   
4. A bee hive is one of the strangest items taken from a rented property
    

New research1 by landlord insurer Direct Line for Business reveals that nearly one in three (30 per cent) people who have rented a property in the last five years think it is acceptable to take items that don’t belong to them when they move out. Some of the more popular things tenants have removed from their rental properties have included fridges, freezers, light fittings, televisions and sinks.
 

Some of the reasons for taking items from rented properties included believing that the landlord wouldn’t notice that the item was missing, taking items by accident and forgetting that the item was not theirs. However, the most common excuse – given by more than a fifth of respondents who admitted that they had stolen items – was simply that they wanted to take the items.
 

The cost to the landlord of replacing these items adds up, with tenants estimating that the overall value of items they had taken from a property stands at over £500.
 

Nick Breton, Head of Direct Line for Business, said: “The range of items that tenants feel that they can take with them when vacating a property is quite amazing. It isn’t even just small items that go missing; our research found that renters are helping themselves to beds, sofas and cupboards once their tenancy agreement comes to an end. These are expensive to replace and could have a knock-on effect for future tenants of that property. Plus a tenant could find that they lose their deposit.”
 

The research also revealed that one in five (21 per cent) respondents who have stolen goods said they did not complete an inventory when they moved into the property. However, almost a quarter (23 per cent) admitted that all of the items they removed were listed on the inventory but this did not deter them from taking the items.
 

The research also identified some very unusual items that were taken from rental properties including coconuts, a bee hive and a rolling pin.
 

Nick Breton continued: “The research highlights the importance of having a thorough inventory before your property is vacated. Building a relationship with your tenants is a bonus and can open up communication which could minimise issues further down the line. If the property is furnished then make sure you have the right insurance in place so you’re covered should things go missing – like the kitchen sink!”
 

For further details on Direct Line for Business landlord insurance visit https://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk/landlord-insurance
 

-Ends-

Notes to Editors

1   Research conducted by Opinium Research on 2,000 UK adults, 02 to 05 August 2016
 

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.com

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