Bristol City Council has secured £200,000 from the government's Controlling Migration Fund to help improve housing conditions for asylum seekers and refugees who are being exploited by unscrupulous landlords.

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The council has set up its own "Rogue Landlord Unit" to 'weed out' landlords whose properties are not fit for human habitation.

According to the council Bristol has problems with newly arrived people from overseas, mostly asylum seekers and economic migrants, who have to live in appalling conditions in unlicensed HMOs and unofficial hostels.

In its attempt to combat the problem the council has introduced a strict licensing regime. In the majority of the city's districts it is mandatory for landlords to be registered and all HMOs must be licensed.

A council spokesperson said that the Rogue Unit’s duties will include making sure tenants are made fully aware of their legal rights about living in safe and properly maintained 'homes'.

Cabinet member for housing, Councillor Paul Smith, said: “Our Rogue Landlord Unit continues to carry out hugely important work in Bristol offering extra protection and support for tenants and tackling unlawful practices by landlords and traders and extra funding will help the team expand the scope and priority of their work.

He added: “We are very clear that everyone has a right to a safe and secure home and we hope the cases we have prosecuted so far will continue to send a clear message to rogue landlords and traders that unlawful practices will not be tolerated."

The Rogue Unit has already mounted several successful prosecutions across the city and is carrying out numerous investigations.