Why are landlords so exposed?

IT IS quite extraordinary that landlords are the only businesses in France that can be required to provide services and products free to their customers.

If you walk into Carrefour and walk out with a basket of groceries without paying, you will be arrested for theft. But if you decide to stop paying your landlord for the accommodation they have provided you, that’s different.

It will take that landlord many months and much expense to recover the property you are living in at their expense. In the meantime you can continue to steal their property from them month at a time.

Why is this considered morally right in France? Why should deadbeat tenants be able to steal from the retailer that sells them housing if they cannot steal from other retailers?

Norman LINTON, by email