£5 million for councils to tackle ‘rogue landlords’

The government has announced £5 million worth of funding to help councils tackle ‘rogue landlords’.

The extra funding aims to help councils take action against irresponsible landlords that force tenants to live in squalid and dangerous conditions.

This also includes a clamp down on so called ‘beds in sheds’, where rooms are rented out in areas of a property that are unfit for inhabitation.

48 councils will share the funding to facilitate more inspections of property, survey more streets, demolish sheds and issue more statutory notices.

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: “Many private rental tenants are happy with their home and the service they receive, but there are still rogue landlords that exploit vulnerable people and force their tenants to live in overcrowded and squalid accommodation.

“We are determined to tackle these rogues which is why we are providing 48 councils with extra funding, so they can get rid of the cowboy operators in their area and bring an end to tenants living in miserable homes in the name of profit.

“We also want to raise the quality and choice of rental accommodation across the sector. The funding will ensure tenants know what level of service they can expect and have confidence to get help and take action if things go wrong.”