No matter what the media says a new survey reports that tenants, in general, do appreciate their landlord's endeavours and rate them quite highly.

An Insurance company conducted the survey and 77% of tenants who took part rated their landlords "excellent" or "good" and only 8% said their landlord was "poor". The poll included both landlords and tenants.

Just over half of the tenants (56%) felt that their landlord at times could be more helpful and  55% of landlords understood the urgency of acting quickly to tenant's requests.

Within the survey it found that 24 hour emergency cover is held by 32% of landlords which tenants can access at any time.

The most common complaint from tenants was that 23% found their landlords to be hard to contact. 21%  of tenants were frustrated by a low standard of repair work carried out by contracted tradesman, on behalf of the landlords.

Unsurprisingly the most common complaint from landlord - 37% - was for outstanding rent and lateness of payments. One in five landlords were exasperated by tenants leaving the property without handing in notice or giving very little.
 
Head of  the home insurance  firm that conducted the poll, Sue Green, said: ‘In the age of housing shortages and escalating rents, landlords have been getting some bad headlines, but the research shows the extent to which this portrayal is unfair. The vast majority of landlords are conscientious and ethical, although tenants do believe more can be done.’

She added: ‘Anyone who is a landlord should consider whether there might be more that they could do to make things easier for their tenants, which will be beneficial to all involved.’

Richard Merrick, PIMS, said; "This survey is a justifiable response to the heavy handed media that constantly tarnishes the reputation of good landlords, by covering stories concerning the minor percentage of "rogues".

"This shows that Private Rented Sector is growing up as an Industry by "members" operating a "code of good practice."