Almost half of the tenants live in the UK illegally

About 49% of owners of residential property in the UK has found in their possessions of the people living there informally. Actually, it was 3.3 million people. 75% of these “ghosts” live in houses and apartments that are officially rented by different people, for more than 6 months.

Such a situation is dangerous for the owner loss insurance. The insurance case will be invalidated if the insured house or apartment is found a resident that is not specified in the lease.

Such cases are very common now. For example, several families lived in the house with only two beds and the lease agreement were included in General only one person.

Misrepresentation of number of residents in a confined space not only can deprive the owner of the insurance, but increases the risk of wear and damage of property. Potentially, this could significantly increase the financial burden on the owner associated with the repair and restoration.

In this regard, insurers strongly recommend that owners check for the leased premises, to make sure that they are exactly those specified in the lease. It is necessary to check that the property is not for rent to sublease, and that it constantly no unauthorised persons are.

Crowded illegal residents of the houses happen to be seriously disrupted. For example, in the same house with unwanted tenants out of the closet under the stairs was removed the shelves and there was a makeshift bedroom.

During the study it was also found that the vast majority of owners of residential properties do not bother to change the locks on the doors between the different tenants, even if the previous tenants did not return all the keys. Interviewed homeowners, the vast majority, 71% said that 9 out of 10 cases they don’t change their locks when they change the tenant. This situation poses a serious threat to the safety of people living in the home.

® Helen Entree. 20.09.2013