South Somerset District Council is adding its support to Shelter’s national campaign to tackle rogue landlords.
The housing and homelessness charity is calling on local authorities across the country to take a tough stance against rogue landlords operating in their area. By signing up to the campaign, South Somerset District Council is committing to use all the tools at its disposal to crack down on landlords who are ignoring their responsibilities and causing misery to local families.
The council’s Housing Standards Team has a regular programme of inspection of all rented homes including shared and bed sit accommodation. The team ensures that all rented property is up to standard and has adequate amenities and mean of escape in case of fire. Where problems are found robust legal action is taken to deal with the situation. The council will carry out work in default to make good poor conditions and prosecute rogue landlords. Many tenants are not aware of their statutory rights and put up with living in poor conditions which they need not do so.
Councillor Ric Pallister, Leader of South Somerset District Council said, “While we have many good landlords in our area, we also know that there is a small but dangerous minority of landlords who trap people in unfit homes causing misery and, in some cases, putting lives at risk. They ignore the law and the term “Rogue” is frequently too generous. The fact is that the worst offenders deserve to be labelled appropriately and that is “Criminal Landlords”. We will do all in our powers to stamp them out in South Somerset, and by joining Shelter’s Evict Rogue Landlords campaign; we are committing to take tough action against the worst offenders.”
Campbell Robb, Shelter’s chief executive said, “We are pleased to hear that South Somerset District 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.
If you know of any situations where tenants are living in poor conditions please contact the Housing Standards team on 01935 462462 or e-mail [email protected] to request them to investigate.