New fly-on-the-wall eviction TV series starts this evening

This evening at 9pm sees the start of a second season of Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords on Channel 5. 

The 10-part series is described as “delving into the dark side of the UK’s rental market and growing housing crisis” and features eviction company Landlord Action.

Publicity for the programme claims that the complexities and sheer amount of legislation relating to private rented housing is forcing more and more landlords to exit the buy to let market, fuelling the already chronic under-supply of housing in the UK. 

The imbalance of supply and demand also means rents continue rise, putting  further strain on landlord/tenant relationships - and some of those battles are shown in this latest series. 

The first 60 minute episode will feature three stories, two of which cover a common landlord complaint - rent arrears.

Music entrepreneur Donovan Nelson hasn’t received rent for seven months from one of his tenants. He hires Landlord Action but on the day of the court hearing, Donavon is faced with news that his tenant is there fighting the eviction, claiming the hot water isn’t working.

“This case highlights one of my greatest concerns surrounding last year’s introduction of the ‘Retaliation Eviction’ law as part of The Deregulation Act 2015. The new measures protect tenants from being evicted when they raise a complaint about the condition of their home. Unfortunately, some tenants are using this as a loophole to avoid eviction, putting landlords under extreme financial pressure” says founder of Landlord Action, Paul Shamplina.

Episode one also exposes an unscrupulous landlord, previously known to the authorities, who is renting his HMO to numerous tenants in extremely unsanitary conditions, which has led to a rat infestation.