Charity reveals shame of tenants’ slum homes

HUNDREDS of private tenants in Greater Manchester are living with damp, mould and dodgy electrics, according to a hardhitting report.

New research reveals just how many people who rent privately are forced to endure slum conditions –and how landlords are raking in thousands of pounds for homes often infested with mice and cockroaches or which flout safety standards.

Housing charity Shelter commissioned a poll of private tenants across Greater Manchester that found 40 per cent of renters had suffered from bad electrics, damp and mould in the last 12-months.

Housing bosses and politicians say that the problems are not just confined to Manchester but offer a grim snapshot of conditions around the UK.

They have demanded tough new action to help crack down on rogue landlords and enforce better standards.

The charity and YouGov spoke to 300 tenants across the region about their concerns.

They found that nearly a third (31 pc) of private renters had issues with damp or mould, while one-in-six (16 pc) had suffered or still had faulty electricity.

One-in-12 of those polled (8pc) complained of mice, cockroaches or other infestations.

For others it is not just the state of their home, one-in-eight claimed their landlords had acted illegally –entering homes without permission and not protecting deposits.

Last year Manchester council launched a pilot programme to crack down on shoddy and overcrowded flats.

Landlords in a number of pilot areas, starting with Crumpsall, must now apply for a special licence in order to rent out their flats – and show proof that gas checks have been done and smoke alarms are working.

But in just the past 12 months, Shelter’s national helpline received almost 21,000 calls from people living in Greater Manchester and the charity helped a further 8,395 people face-toface.

John Ryan, Shelter Manchester service manager, said: “Every day we hear from local renters who are dealing with appalling conditions in their home and, shockingly, most are paying extortionate amounts for the privilege.” A crumbling wall in one property and mould on the walls in another