03 Jan 25
Former ARLA Propertymark President David Votta says organisation is guilty of grabbing headlines to bash landlords in unfair campaign.
A leading agent has blasted Shelter for ‘headline grabbing’ and attacking landlords unfairly.
David Votta, who is the owner of Votta Sales & Lettings and a former Propertymark ARLA President, says: “These headline grabbers are getting worse! The sensationalism is absurd!”
He was highlighting a case taken up by Shelter and reported in the Mirror involving a family who say they were evicted five days before Christmas.
And an eight-year-old was served the eviction notice, according to Shelter.
Rental sector mess
Votta says: “The notice was served on the 20th December [2023] so they were “asked” to leave on 21st February the following year, but that first two sentences are more powerful as opposed to the truth.
“Another reason why we are in the mess we are in with the private rented sector,” he adds in a LinkedIn post.
He is supported by other agents and property experts who responded to his post.
Des Taylor, an HMO licensing consultant, says: “£80M Shelter revenue makes sure the media machine is oiled with propaganda to suit. £80M would build some houses and house some people.”
Damien Cooke, MD of Cooke & Co agency, says: “A typical media and government-led narrative often paints landlords as villains and tenants as victims.
“While there are undoubtedly instances of poor landlord practices, this one-sided portrayal overlooks the countless responsible landlords who face genuine struggles.”
And Natasha Barrett Fuller, Assistant Lettings Manager at Regis Group, says: “No consideration for the landlord’s circumstances, as to why they require their property back, plus lacks any facts re arrears / ASB etc (although appreciate this may not be relevant to this specific case).”
