Tenants being left to the mercy of rogue private landlords

NEARLY 700 COMPLAINTS MADE TO COUNCIL BUT NO PROSECUTIONS

COVENTRY City Council received nearly 700 complaints against privatelandlords last year - but prosecuted nobody.

Exclusive figures were obtained by the Telegraph from Freedom of Information requests made by the Residential Landlords Association.

Experts have warned that “landlords are breaking the law” and “getting away with murder”.

A total of 675 complaints were made to Coventry City Council against rogue landlords in 2017/18, the data shows.

The council, though, made no prosecutions.

Local authorities ultimately have responsibility for regulating the private rented sector.

In April 2017 the government gave them the power to take action against rogue landlords who flouted the rules by prosecuting them.

But experts say little has changed since the rules came into effect.

Councils were also given the power to impose fines of up to £30,000 as an alternate measure to prosecution.

This is known as a “civil penalty”.

The figures show that no landlords in Coventry were served civil penalties.

There were, however, 210 housing health and safety rating system (HHSR) inspections carried out in 2017/18.

This is usually the first step taken by local authorities if they believe a property contains hazards.

Common hazards include things like damp and mould growth, a faulty gas boiler, or fire risks.

Local authorities can then take enforcement action following the result of the inspection.

No landlords in Coventry were served a hazard awareness notice by the council.

This is a warning the council gives to the landlord that says they areaware of a problem in the property but that they will take no further action at the moment.

The notice must give details of the hazard concerned and what is needed to deal with it.

There was one improvement notice issued to private landlords in Coventry for what are known as category 1 and category 2 hazards.

A category 1 hazard is one that poses a serious threat to a tenant’s health or safety. This can include things like exposed wiring, leakingroofs and rat infestations.

Less serious or less urgent hazards are classed as category 2.

The council issued no prohibition orders to private landlords in 2017/18.

This restricts the use of part or all of the property and can also place a limit on the number of people living there.

This type of action is usually enforced when hazardous conditions pose a serious health and safety threat but practical repairs are not possible, usually because of the cost.

It can also be enforced when facilities are unsatisfactory for the number of people who live there.

Councils can impose emergency remedial action against landlords.

This happens when it is likely that a tenant will suffer serious harm in the near future if conditions do not improve. The council can then complete the work itself and charge the landlord.

There were no instances where this took place in Coventry. Cllr Ed Ruane, cabinet member for housing and communities, said: “The local authority needs to do more to improve standards in the private rented sector where a minority of landlords act irresponsibly to their tenants.

“The council introduced a new policy to enforce standards in the private sector housing in November and has already had a number of cases where it is pursuing civil penalties against landlords.”

Now, the council is also consulting on a selective licensing scheme across the city.

Cllr Ruane added: “The selective licensing scheme, which would give us more enforcement powers and help to build up our housing team, is currently out for consultation.

“The numbers have been fairly low because we don’t have the same staffing levels. This scheme getting the go

The council introduced a new policy to enforce standards in the private sector housing in November