Flat broke

WHEN father and son landlords Peter and Marc walk into one of their rented properties, the dismay is written all over their faces.

There’s a pungent smell of mould, the hot tap doesn’t work, the kitchen hobs look dangerous and it’s freezing cold. This is the reality for 66-year-old Linda, who lives alone in the flat as their tenant. She’s been too afraid to report any maintenance problems for fear of being turfed out and made homeless. This eyeopening series challenges some of Britain’s most successful landlords to spend a week living in one of their own rentals – on their tenant’s budget. In Linda’s case, this is £54.12 after bills. “That would be a round of drinks for me,” admits 36-year-old Marc. He and his dad Peter, 66, run a property empire worth £7 million, and enjoy the luxurious lifestyle that goes with it. Marc claims his dad’s mantra has always been: “Let it and forget it”. By contrast, Linda, who has osteoarthritis, does three jobs to make ends meet and, since they put her rent up, she can only afford to heat one room. Peter and Marc, who haven’t heard of any problems in the flat from Linda, are shocked when they see her living conditions. She has also asked them not to put the heating on, meaning they are forced to sleep in several layers of clothes and even do the cooking with their coats on. To his credit, Marc is soon quite tearful, admitting: “I’ve been living in a bit of a bubble. I pride myself in being a good landlord but I don’t want anyone living here.” This life-swap gimmick is a clever way to highlight the massive problems in some parts of the rental market. But will landlords change anything because of it?

STRUGGLE Tenant Linda LIFE SWAP Marc and Peter