Housing Minister Heather Wheeler has announced a £2 million funding boost for councils to tackle irresponsible and rogue landlords.
A small minority of landlords continue to break the law and offer inadequate or unsafe housing – including to young families and others who are vulnerable to exploitation. To combat this, councils will be able to bid for funding to step up enforcement action against irresponsible landlords and to test innovative ways to clamp down on squalid accommodation.
The new funding should help councils increase action against criminal landlords by building relationships with external organisations such as the emergency services, legal services and local housing advocates. Councils may also decide to support tenants to take action against poor standards through rent repayment orders, or develop digital solutions, helping officers to report back and make decisions quicker.