29^th Oct 2017

York City Council has vowed to kick out 'rogue landlords' in their 'patch' as they are introducing new rules to make them pay large fines for unfit standards of housing.

The council is seriously considering of slapping 'rogues' with fines as much as £30,000 for any landlord who does not comply with their safety and licensing regulations. The large fines in some cases will replace prosecutions which are lengthy and costly processes.

York City Council is convinced that the intended measures will eventually stamp out criminal offences being committed by landlords, and the government has given authorities additional powers to improve rental homes' standards thereby offering further security to tenants.

Senior Councillors held a meeting a few weeks ago and were unanimous in agreeing to impose greater financial penalties for any landlords profiteering by renting out properties that are not 'ft for purpose'.

Councillor Sam Lisle, the member for housing and safer neighbourhoods, said: "Introducing these penalties follows government guidelines and complements our work to support landlords to further improve standards which I’m pleased to see is ongoing.”

Councils throughout England have been issued with government guidance which advises a 'rate card of penalties' for different types of offence. This can be determined by factors such as the levels of seriousness of the offence, responsibility and other factors.

Lisle commented: “High quality homes are good for the city’s private tenants and, in the long term, for the landlords themselves,”

The final decision will be taken on Monday 16th October.

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