£3 million fund available to Councils to take on rogue landlords.

Plans have just been recently announced of a £3million fund that Councils can take a share of to take on rogue landlords, according to Mark Prisk the Housing Minister.

Prisk realises that private landlords provide a great service for their tenants and they in return are happy with their homes, but a small minority of rogue landlords are causing considerable problems for their tenants which will also have an impact on the surrounding neighbours’ lives..

He highlights how some landlords prey upon vulnerable tenants and it has even been reported that some work with “gang masters” to provide housing for illegal migrants. The conditions of the properties can be appalling because of over- crowding and dangerous accommodation which leads to: council and benefit fraud, anti-social behaviour, noise problems, higher fire risk and sanitation issues for the whole street.   

The additional funding is now available for Councils to send their bids in to help assist their resources to take on the rogue landlords and making sure that they can build cases to help make them watertight.

 

The Housing Minister said the funding is helping to build on the government’s continuing success with the “beds in sheds” problem. Because of the £2.6million funding since 2011 over 500 illegally overcrowded homes and rented outbuildings have been found out and the landlords responsible are being prosecuted.
 
The existing “beds in sheds” taskforce has had its role increased to consider what action is the best way forward to stamp out rogue landlords.
 
Prisk says, “The majority of tenants are happy with their home and the service they receive, but there are still a minority of rogue landlords who exploit vulnerable people and force their tenants to live in overcrowded and squalid conditions,” he said.
 
“It’s unacceptable that the lives of tenants and their neighbours are made a misery in the name of profit. That’s why today I’m offering councils a share of £3 million to take on the rogue operators in their area.
 
“They will also have the backing of a cross-government taskforce which will address the barriers councils face in tackling this issue, so together we can end the illegal exploitation of vulnerable tenants, and bring a better future to communities across the country.”