A council is stepping up a crackdown on rogue landlords, using new government powers to take tougher action.
Blackburn and Darwen council has set out how it will use strengthened enforcement powers, including those in the Renters Rights Act and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.
The powers include additional fines for landlords who fail to meet their legal responsibilities, as well as the ability to act more quickly when court action is required.
A statement says: “With around one in five properties in Blackburn with Darwen being privately rented, the new powers will help the council protect tenants in a bid to drive-up standards across the borough.”
A spokesperson adds: “These new government powers are for landlords who are quick to collect their rent each month but don’t meet their legal obligations – often leaving incredibly vulnerable residents in homes that just aren’t fit to live in.
“It’s wrong and it’s not something we will tolerate.
“We have an incredibly hard-working team of Housing Standards officers who deal with around 700 complaints every single year, and some of what they see is just shocking.
“These new powers mean the council can crack down harder and faster on rogue landlords – issuing fines to those who ignore our warnings and, where needed, bring them before the courts more quickly.”
The statement claims officers inspect properties when complaints are made, advising tenants of their rights and obliging landlords to meet legal obligations.
