Latest Public Sector News

09.04.18

Database to help councils crack down on rogue landlords goes live

Rogue landlords are being forced out of the sector as new banning orders and a national database of offenders are brought in.

Landlords convicted of housing, immigration and other criminal offences, such as leasing overcrowded properties, fire and gas safety offences and unlawful eviction, will all be put on the new database.

Councils will be able to share information between themselves and crack down on poor and unfair practice in the private rented sector, helping them to target their enforcement action.

Landlords who are convicted of offences under the government’s new law may also be given banning orders preventing them from leasing accommodation for a period of time, ranging from 12 months to life.

Councils must record details of any landlord or property agent who has received a banning order on the database, and landlords that ignore a banning order will face criminal sanctions including up to six months in prison and an unlimited fine.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will be able to use the database to publish regular updates on the number of landlords and agents who have been banned, convicted of a banning order offence or received two or more civil penalties, broken down by local authority.

The measures follow the announcement that councils will be given new powers to tackle rogue landlords who rent overcrowded properties and impose fines of up to £30,000 for those landlords who do not comply.

Heather Wheeler, minister for housing and homelessness, said: “I am committed to making sure people who are renting are living in safe and good quality properties.

“That’s why we’re cracking down on the small minority of landlords that are renting out unsafe and substandard accommodation.

“Landlords should be in no doubt that they must provide decent homes or face the consequences.”

The ministry says that it will support further measures, proposed by Karen Buck MP in a Private Member’s Bill, to protect tenants in both the social and private rented sectors, forming part of the government’s plan to ensure a safer and stronger housing market.

Top image: Tommy Lee Walker

Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become a PSE columnist? If so, click here

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

public sector executive tv

more videos >

last word

Prevention: Investing for the future

Prevention: Investing for the future

Rob Whiteman, CEO at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance (CIPFA), discusses the benefits of long-term preventative investment. Rising demand, reducing resource – this has been the r more > more last word articles >

public sector focus

View all News

comment

Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Bei... more >
How community-led initiatives can help save the housing shortage

19/06/2019How community-led initiatives can help save the housing shortage

Tom Chance, director at the National Community Land Trust Network, argues t... more >

interviews

Artificial intelligence: the devil is in the data

17/12/2018Artificial intelligence: the devil is in the data

It’s no secret that the public sector and its service providers need ... more >