Northampton Borough Council is launching a rogue landlord hotline next week due to the majority of landlords “not meeting standards”.
Investigations will be launched within 24 hours of callers using the service which will be open 9am to 5pm. Tenants can leave a message outside of these hours.
Officers will be designated to specific areas across the borough so that one person will deal with an issue throughout an investigation.
Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for housing cllr Mary Markham said: “The majority of landlords are not meeting our standards. A rogue landlord can not only make life hell for their tenants, but also an entire neighbourhood.
“Time and again people are telling us what a problem this where they live. I want people to know that we have listened, and are taking action.
“We want to work with landlords to raise the quality of properties available in Northampton. We have a growing student population, and like other towns we are seeing more and more people renting while they save up for a mortgage.
“So it is important that we send out a clear message that we are welcoming responsible landlords, and will take action to close down those that turn a deaf ear to the welfare of their tenants and neighbours. We now have a team of people out there in the community day in and day out to deal with any problems and this plus the hotline is just the first step, over the next few months we will be looking at what else we can do to raise standards across the town.”
Shelter chief executive Campbell Robb said: “We are pleased to hear that Northampton Borough Council is committing to firm action against rogue landlords operating in their area. Every day at Shelter we see the devastating impact rogue landlords have on people’s lives, and we’ve been campaigning to urge government and councils to crack down on this small but highly dangerous minority who make people’s lives a misery.
“We urge other councils to follow Northampton Borough Council’s lead and do everything in their power to crack down on the worst offenders in their area and stamp out rogue landlords for good.”
Unhappy Northampton tenants can call the hotline on 0300 330 7002.
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Comments
I take issue with the comment "The majority of Landlords
"
The Majority of Landlords look after their property very well and responsibly, as do the majority of tenants.
There is this small rouge element on both sides which needs getting rid of.
The presumption that all Landlords are rogues comes from comments like this from Councils who are obviously egged on by the likes of Shelter and the like.
I welcome Northamptons actions BUT surely they must also report rogue tenants if this action is to be fair.
What about data protection act ?
I know ----------only there to protect tenants -- NOT Landlords !
Agree with the other comments. Will Northampton Council also do anything if Landlords call them about rogue tenants?. The ones that give no notice, leave your property trashed and their rubbish and animals excrement for the Landlord to clear up with repair costs way above the deposit. I provide good quality accomodation for tenants that are in desperate situations in another area. This helps the local council get these people off their priority list and off the streets. This stance from Northampton has given me a firm decison - i will not be providing any rented accomodation in Northampton in the future.
how about a rogué tenants hotline as well, where is the balance, the fairness here.
Rogue Landlord based on what facts and opinions - the tenant's? Why - because a dripping tap wasn't sorted within the hour?
Hopefully when complaints are investigated the Council Officers - presumably EHOs who already have more than enough to do - will also check first that the tenant is also whiter than white?
This is basically TDP stage 2 - but this time a free complaint service