Immigrants Filling Vacant Properties
The expectations of tenants has been steadily rising over the years, no longer will people be happy with a poorly decorated second rate flat or house. With the increase in rent prices over the years this has led to the increase in expectations and has forced many landlords to modernize and update their properties as many more people opt for renting over buying from different walks of life. It is now not uncommon for many young professionals to be renting their luxury flat or house rather then get a mortgage, this offers them the flexibility that may be required in a dynamic and changing social and job related world that they live in.
With the influx of immigrants into the UK since the joining of the European Union and the increase in member states there have been undertones of the lack of accommodation and housing available. It has also been said that immigrants have been given preference over the housing that is available. Recent research suggests otherwise and this sector of the population are taking housing on that many others have rejected. It has been suggested that housing many local people are not prepared to live in or areas that people do not want to live in the immigrants are taking on.
Immigrants and asylum seekers
Experiences tend to vary depending on the reasons for arrival in the country. Many Eastern European arrivals that are coming across from countries such as Poland and are looking for the work opportunities would not have the many, if any, rights to claiming benefits or welfare from the state. It is generally found that people coming on this basis would travel in groups or as a family and would be looking for housing in the private sector. Their expectations and needs would be like any other person looking to rent and they integrate into the main stream systems. However the asylum seekers who are once given subject to live in the UK on a permanent basis have nothing and will be reliant upon the social housing sector. Often it was these people who would be forced to live in the areas and accommodation that others would not find acceptable it has been claimed.
Little has been said or is known about the problems that people face when they first come to the country and are looking for somewhere to live. Also very little is known about the impact that this could have on the housing sector and how much of a gap is filled with people taking these properties. Often the people who arrive and need most of all will have little or no knowledge of the welfare systems in place and end up living their life in poor condition housing on or below the line of acceptability.