More Than 100,000 Tenants In 'Severe Arrears'

More than 100,000 tenants in the private rented sector in England and Wales are in severe arrears, according to figures from a firm of chartered surveyors.  Templeton LPA’s tenant arrears tracker say the number of tenants in severe financial difficulties went up by 8 per cent – 7,000 more tenants - in the second quarter of this year from the first three months.  ‘Severe arrears’ is defined as arrears of more than two months.  In the second quarter of 2012, an average of 100,400 tenants in England and Wales were in severe arrears – an increase of 24 per cent compared to the same period a year ago. The number of court orders issued to evict tenants increased by 6% in the first quarter compared with the last three months of 2011, and by 5% compared to the first quarter of 2011.  Read more on the Guardian website.