A Wycombe landlord is ready to lower the rent of his one-bedroom house for a tenant who works in the NHS.
The owner has asked not to be named.

He told the Bucks Free Press: “I don’t want personal publicity. I’m doing it as a gesture of support and gratitude for low paid workers in a profession we all depend on whose salaries in real terms haven’t kept pace with inflation.”

The landlord, who has a doctorate in chemical engineering and a property portfolio as an investment, is currently looking for a tenant for his house on the outskirts of the town centre. It is a 15-20 minute walk from Wycombe Hospital.

Although the property at Spindle Court in Chairborough Road has been let in the past for more than £750 a month, it is currently on the books of the lettings department at JNP for £725 a month.

It was built in the 1980s by I L Beeks, a local builder with a top notch reputation.

Since then it has been improved even more. Inside it has an open plan living room and kitchen downstairs, double bedroom with built in wardrobe and bathroom upstairs, electric central heating and off-street parking.

Smokers aren’t allowed but pets might be welcome.

It was a joint decision by the husband and wife owners to cut the rent to £650 and cap it at that level as a guarantee against further increases for a tenant who works on the front line in the NHS.

It was motivated by the kindness and professionalism shown to the landlord’s mother when she was recently taken ill and rushed to Hillingdon Hospital.

“My wife went with her and stayed with her for four days and four nights,” he explained.

“She was overwhelmed by the dedication of the staff. These people are unsung heroes.

“Knowing how their salaries have been frozen we talked about what we could do to help.”

He added: “We’re doing this as much as anything as a statement to tell those at the lower end of the pay scale in the emergency services how much their work is appreciated by the public.

“Rather than make a donation to charity my wife and I decided to reduce the rent of our house near the hospital in Wycombe to ease the financial strain for someone who works there.

“I’ve pledged not to lower the price for the first 12 months, then put it up to the going rate when the lease comes up for renewal in a year’s time. That wouldn’t be fair. It will be capped at the present rent.

“We hope it might inspire others to do something to help alleviate the everyday cost of living for those who have had their salaries capped.

He says his own inspiration for taking a £75 cut each month in the rent for the Chairborough Road house stems from his high regard for the late Betty Messenger.

In 2010 at the age of 82 the philanthropist who lived in Stokenchurch all her life used funds that had accrued from her property portfolio to set up a charity foundation to support her local community.

“She’s my inspiration in all this,” says the landlord offering a helping hand to a staff member at the hospital in Queen Alexandra Road where his mother received superb care. 

Ben Stokes, lettings manager at JNP, says it’s the first time in his career he has encountered a landlord who has lowered his rent in the cause of charity. 

He said: “As someone who also has experienced kindness and professionalism shown when it’s most needed, what lovely thing, a gesture of appreciation of direct benefit to the people on the front line making a difference.”

In the light of the landlord’s generosity, the agents at JNP have reduced their set up fee to the £210 minimum for anyone working for the NHS who moves into the Chairborough Road house.