New £3 million fund to crack down on rogue landlords

New funding will help councils take on the rogue landlords who make their tenants’ lives a misery.

Councils will be able to bid for a share of up to £3 million to tackle irresponsible landlords in their area, who allow their tenants to live in unsafe and squalid conditions, putting lives at risk and disrupting local communities.

Government Housing Minister Mark Prisk said that the majority of tenants are happy with their home and the service they receive, but the actions of a few rogue landlords are having a major impact on tenants’ and their neighbours’ lives.

These unscrupulous landlords exploit vulnerable people, with reports suggesting that some work with gang masters to house illegal migrants. The poor quality, overcrowded and often dangerous accommodation they provide can result in:

• Noise problems
• Sanitation issues for whole streets
• Greater fire risk
• Council tax and benefit fraud
• Anti-social behaviour such as street drinking

Councils will now be able to bid for this additional funding to boost their capacity to investigate and tackle rogue landlords, ensuring they can make the most of their power to prosecute.