Letting agency that sent warning email to renters apologises
A NORTHERN Ireland letting agent has apologised for an email warning tenants they could bring on another recession if they did not pay rent.
Renters with Property People were sent a statement last week urging them to continue their payments because “if rents don’t get paid, mortgages might not get paid and this could lead to the collapse of the banks”.
It added: “As graduates, the prospects in the wake of a depression would be minimal.”
Two days later the company sent tenants an apology for any distress caused, and said it did not “accurately reflect” their ethos.
Communications and PR student Niamh Deeny said the initial email added more anxiety to a situation that was beyond tenants’ control. She and her flatmates have all lost their jobs because of Covid-19.
She said: “The statement was unnecessarily aggressive at a time when we were seeking advice and support.”
Property People director Colin Moran said the company was doing everything it could to support tenants.
He said: “The first email that was sent to tenants does not reflect the ethos of Property People or the work that we are doing to support and assist our tenants at this time.
“So many people have been affected and our offices have become a point of contact for help and advice for people with financial concerns. We have been supporting and reassuring our tenants in every way we can.
“That includes supporting our tenants with accessing financial assistance including applications for Universal Credit, student hardship funds as well as acting as an intermediary between tenants and landlords.”
Property People has two offices in Belfast and a third in Augher, Co Tyrone.