Letter: The landlord's tale...

Letter: You hear a lot in your letters page about the bad landlords in Telford - how they don't do repairs and leave people living in hovels. I agree there are some bad landlords, but let me tell you the other side.

We have recently, after taking the tenant to court for non-payment of rent, taken possession of our house.

It is heartbreaking: doors ripped off or fists through them, kitchen cupboard doors ripped off, signs of trying to set fire to a wall, dirty clothes, rubbish, furniture, bedding.

We cannot get into one room because of the rubbish tipped in there.

The smell is appalling because an un-neutered cat has been living in there.

We are responsible landlords and have another property rented out. I am sure the tenants in that property would tell you that as soon as something needs to be done, it is done.

We used an estate agent, who has let us down badly. Six-monthly checks should have been made on the property and it should never have been allowed to get into the state it is in.

It is only because of police intervention that we were told the property was being used for drugs and storing stolen property.

So, when you hear about bad landlords, please remember there are some very responsible ones around who do care and end up thousands of pounds out of pocket trying to put a property right after total morons have rented them.

Name and address supplied