A new team will target those who rent substandard homes
Rogue landlords who rent out unsafe, illegal and overcrowded properties will be targeted by a new team of dedicated council officers.
As part of its commitment to tackle the problem of illegal dwellings the council have set up a taskforce to tackle rogue landlords who take advantage of vulnerable people by providing substandard conditions.
Cllr Steve Curran, cabinet member for housing and education who chairs the team overseeing the project, said:
“We are determined to tackle the blight caused by criminal landlords making a profit on the back of vulnerable people.
“The people who live in these conditions are trapped into thinking they have no choice, and can be paying hundreds of pounds to put up with cramped conditions, unsafe wiring and inadequate sanitation.
“The buildiSeptember 27, 2012ds exploiting those living there who either don’t know how, or aren’t prepared, to do anything about it.
“We are currently identifying properties and areas for thorough investigation and those landlords operating illegally can expect to be hearing from us very soon.”
The council already works to tackle rogue landlords operating in the borough, but there has been a marked increase in the number of illegal sheds and outbuildings being rented out.
The council received a one off grant of £280,000 from the Department for Communities and Local Government to help tackle the problem.
This money is being used to bring in extra staff to identify and take action against rogue landlords, as well as working with other agencies such as the Boroughs Police, UK Border Agency and Fire Service to support the initiativeSeptember 26, 2012