Václav Walach, Petr Kupka, Alica Brendzová
Václav Walach is a researcher at the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Czech Republic.
Petr Kupka is a researcher at the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Czech Republic.
Alica Brendzová is a doctoral student at the Institute of Ethnology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Czech Republic.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study explores the representation of the private landlords’ practices that may contribute to housing insecurity and forced mobility in Czech segregated areas. THEORETICAL BASE: Following debate on the “poverty business”, the study uses literature on Roma marginalization, sociology of eviction and housing studies. METHODS: The thematic analysis of 167 documents published mainly by the Agency of Social Inclusion was conducted. OUTCOMES: The landlords’ practices are analyzed in four areas: overcharging rent and other payments, tenancy contracts, disinvestment, and coercion. Their relation to housing security and eviction is pointed out. SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATIONS: Social workers shall continue to embrace the issue of exploitative practices in private rental housing and use social work methods to reduce the power asymmetry in the tenant-landlord relationships, prevent eviction, and improve rental and housing conditions. Tenant stigmatization should be countered by exposing the agency of other actors and structural factors that co-produce housing insecurity and forced mobility.
Keywords
exploitation, forced mobility, eviction, rental housing, private landlords, Roma
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