Luton Council Aims to Tackle Rogue Landlords
Luton Borough Council has launched a new scheme to crack down on rogue landlords that rent out poorly managed or dangerous properties.
The Rogue Landlord Project was created alongside the Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, the Luton Law Centre and the Luton Citizens Advice Bureau.
The council insists that rogue landlords will not be tolerated and offenders will be caught.
The scheme particularly focuses on:
- Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
- Beds in sheds – substandard properties that are being used as homes without relevant permission
- Empty homes – the council hopes to bring these properties back into use to provide more people with accommodation
Recently, 18 landlords have been prosecuted by Luton Council or served with prohibition orders, many resulting in large fines and criminal records. Beds in sheds and HMOs have been emptied and several investigations are ongoing.
Councillor Tom Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Luton Borough Council, says: “The Rogue Landlord Project is an integral part of ensuring that private housing in Luton is of a good standard. It is an important part of our enforcement policy and will help ensure that properties in Luton are safe and maintained to a good standard. If a HMO is poorly managed, tenants’ safety could be at risk.
“We are committed to ensuring that rogue landlords are identified and are made to improve the property or face prosecution. I would encourage tenants or neighbours who suspect a landlord is not adhering to the rules to get in touch with us.”1
1 https://www.luton.gov.uk/Housing/Other%20housing%20information/Pages/Rogue-Landlord-Project.aspx