THE economy is casting a long shadow over the property market. As the Daily Post revealed yesterday, house sales figures have fallen by almost half, with experts unable to predict when the trend is likely to end.

Now it seems the house sales slump is just the tip of the iceberg; the rentals market is in equal gloom. The situation is so bad that one agent is taking drastic action – “outing” rent dodgers by erecting signs on their homes that state the occupant consistently fails to pay for the roof above their head.

It is a drastic tactic certainly, but how effective is it? Will the renter who feels no compunction in ignoring a lettings agency demanding its dues really care what the neighbours think?

Sutton Estates certainly believe they will – the company has erected two “rent dodger lives here” signs outside homes naming and shaming residents so far, and say more will follow at other properties as necessary.

It is interesting to note the company’s determination not to target genuine residents struggling to pay their rent in these troubled times. There is no point victimising those who are already crushed by anxiety and desperately want to pay their way – these people need advice and support to help them out of their predicament.

But those who are abusing the system, by taking state aid provided for their rent and spending it elsewhere, should be outed – they are simply ducking their responsibilities and forcing hardship onto buy-to-let owners and lettings agencies.

Legal experts warn these signs could potentially open them up to action. Being labelled a rent-dodger is a stigma, certainly, but one which they have brought on themselves by failing to use their housing benefit for the purpose it is intended.

Rightly or wrongly, property agents may not always be held in the highest regard by the public. But, in this case, it is impossible not to feel sympathy for a company driven to take drastic action by others’ wilful refusal to pay their way.