27^th Jan 2019

A campaign group that fights for renters' rights has blasted Hull Council upon finding out that from 2,000 complaints about housing standards, only two cases were taken to court in 2017.

Last year the government gave stronger powers to local councils to take quick and decisive action against rogue landlords, but Jacky Peacock, director of the campaign group, believes little has changed.

Jacky said: “Landlords know that they can get away with treating tenants like this because so few tenants actually know their rights.

“The whole thing is just a mess. Councils are reluctant to go against private landlords because in most in most areas there is a homelessness problem, so there is a real conflict because councils often house homeless people in these properties.

“It sends the message that landlords can get away with murder. Landlords are breaking the law and they know they are.”

Hull council issued 91 improvement notices to private landlords for category 1 and 2 hazards, as well as only four prohibition orders in the past year.

A spokesperson for a trade association, said: “These results show that for all the publicity around bad landlords, a large part of the fault lies with councils who are failing to use the wide range of powers they already have.

“Too many local authorities fall back on licensing schemes which, as this report proves, actually achieve very little except to add to the costs of the responsible landlords who register.
“Instead of policing licensing schemes, councils need to focus on finding and taking action criminal landlords.”

Hull City Council defends itself by saying it carries out many methods to make sure that private rented accommodation is “safe and suitable to live in”.

A council spokesman said: “In April 2018 the council approved its Private Housing Enforcement Policy which would see more formal action being taken in relation to poor housing conditions.

“The Humber Landlords Association has objected to this policy, seeking to prevent its introduction, and have taken the matter to Judicial Review. This will be heard next month. In light of this it would not be appropriate for the council to comment further.”

Richard Merrick of PIMS said: "It is in the sector's best interests that rogue landlords are dealt with quickly and efficiently, however the problem is endemic throughout the country where many councils have prosecuted little if any rogues.

"After all they are certainly quick enough to demand licencing fees to 'improve standards'"


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