| The comments came after Lease 2 Keys attached a large, yellow sign to the front of a Stobswell property belonging to one of its clients saying “Rent Dodger Lives Here”.
“I thought tarring and feathering went out in the Middle Ages,” said Mike Wilkie-McFarlane, manager of Shelter’s Dundee Housing Aid Centre.
“Most tenants who fall behind in their rent face multiple money problems, particularly in the current recession with an escalating debt crisis and rising unemployment.
“Exposing people in debt to public humiliation is an unacceptable measure. It’s easy to judge people without full knowledge of the facts.
“I’m sure Lease 2 Keys wouldn’t like to be treated in the way they are treating their tenants. I urge tenants who find themselves in a similar situation to contact us for advice.”
However, Lease 2 Keys hit back at the comments, saying the erection of the sign was “absolutely a last resort” and contained a “very serious message”.
“We feel the people will rightly be concerned that public money intended for housing benefit is not reaching its intended source,” a spokesperson said.
“In this instance, Lease 2 Keys wrote to the tenant informing them of our campaign and the erection of the ‘Rent Dodger’ sign. The tenant made the choice to abandon the property rather than come to a mutual agreement to clear the outstanding rent arrears.
“Lease 2 Keys positively promote equality, but we feel the scales of fairness have tipped too far in favour of the tenant.”
The spokesperson argued that the financial burden on landlords had also increased with the onset of the recession and that the owner of the Stobswell property had fully supported the decision to erect the sign.
“The costs involved in maintaining properties are ever increasing,” she continued. “Having a tenant who does not pay their rent can easily lead to problems, especially in the current economic crisis.”
No-one was at the property today. |
