Rooting out the rogue landlords

Vulnerable tenants living in poorquality supported housing with little to no support from providers will see significant improvements as the Government helps councils crackdown on unscrupulous landlords.

Hull, Birmingham, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool councils will receive more than £6m from the Government’s

£20m Supported Housing Improvement Programme to carry out more frequent and thorough inspections of supported housing.

Supported housing provides accommodation alongside care, support, or supervision for residents who may have experience of homelessness, mental health issues or domestic abuse.

Schemes should provide them with the skills and confidence needed to enter longer-term accommodation and live more independent lives.

Many residents receive good quality support but the government is aware there are instances of landlords providing unacceptable levels of support while charging extortionate rents.

Supported housing should provide suitable, safe, hazardfree accommodation while giving supervision, advice, or help with life skills to help tenants live independently in the community.#

Poor performing landlords will need to improve and provide better accommodation and support for their vulnerable tenants.

Those failing to do so face enforcement action. Councils have the power to issue penalty charge notices and prohibition orders that could stop part or all of the building being used.

Hull councillor Jan Loft, portfolio holder for housing and homelessness, said: “This is great news for Hull. I’m delighted we can continue driving up accommodation standards and support.”