A prominent Labour councillor in Liverpool has told the local media: “Parts of Liverpool are blighted by landlords who treat the outside of their properties as a dumping ground. It makes the area look unkempt and uncared for, as well as attracting vermin, and also encourages others to do the same – creating misery for residents who take pride in their area.”

The comment comes from Laura Robertson-Collins, Liverpool councils cabinet member for neighbourhoods, and were quoted in the Liverpool World website.

The remarks follow legal action taken by Liverpool council against two firms after they failed to clear waste at two privately rented properties in the city. 

Both firms were found guilty at Liverpool Magistrates Court in their absence, having failed to attend the hearing. They were each fined £800 and have to pay additional costs of £719, plus a £320 victim surcharge.

The councillor continues: “We are committed to doing what we can to hold landlords to account and hit them where it hurts – in the pocket, and I am pleased that we have secured these convictions as a deterrent to others. 

“Taking action against rogue landlords who do not treat our neighbourhoods with respect is an absolute priority for our new cabinet because we know how much of an issue it causes for our communities.”

* Government commissioners were parachuted into Liverpool in June 2021 following a government inspection slammed the council on what the local Liverpool Echo describes as “a shocking range of failures at the city council.“

The initial team of four officials were increased to five in 2022 when a finance commissioner was added to the team after fears that the council wasn’t making progress quickly enough.

Now this week the commissioners have suggested they may stay beyond the end of their initial three-year remit.