Landlords face council charges for failing to keep up standards

Rotherham Council said private sector housing landlords who fail to deal with problems such as serious disrepair in their properties will now face a new charge – with the average bill expected to hit £400.

The authority said the charge would cover its costs in investigating and initiating legal action to force remedial works to take place and bring properties up to a national benchmark.

Housing officers said the charge for each enforcement notice would depend on the time spent on each individual case, meaning some bills could be higher.

Yesterday, representatives of private landlords warned the council to “give landlords a fair hearing” before rushing to charge them for enforcement notices, and said many were initially unaware of problems.

National Landlords Association policy officer David Cox said; “This new policy shows it’s important landlords know their obligations to tenants and manage their properties correctly.

“But in our experience, tenants often contact local authorities first, before approaching the landlord to remedy the situation. Landlords should be given an opportunity to fix the problem before facing an improvement notice and costs.

“Those found guilty of an offence should expect to pay the cost of enforcement, but should be given a fair hearing.

“The National Landlords Association (NLA) offers a free advice line to members and an accreditation program to improve standards across the private rented sector and advise on best practice.

“The NLA’s programme is recognised by Rotherham Council and we believe its the best way to raise standards within the sector and prove landlords can self-regulate.”

Rotherham Council’s new procedures follow the adoption of powers in the Housing Act 2004 which allows the authority to recover costs for the preparation of enforcement notices.

The authority said over 1,000 tenants of privately rented homes complain to officers each year regarding sub-standard living conditions.

Officers said that in the majority of cases landlords work with the council, respond quickly and problems are resolved, but in some cases landlords delay undertaking work. Ultimately, if the landlord fails to take on the works, court prosecution will follow.

Councillor Rose McNeely, Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for safe and attractive neighbourhoods said that although the majority of private landlords provide a professional and valuable service to their tenants, there are some who still try to avoid their responsibilities and make basic family living intolerable.

She added: “The enforcement team is always willing to provide assistance to both landlords and tenants. But should a landlord fail to co-operate and work with the officers, the council will take formal action and recover its costs from that landlord.

“Whether you let one or 10 properties, all landlords are running a business and are expected to make themselves aware of the law when providing homes to tenants.

“Local council taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for chasing irresponsible private landlords.”

Doncaster Council said it had charged landlords for a number of years, while Sheffield Council’s housing spokesman Harry Harpham said: “Sheffield Council has been successfully cracking down on landlords, and have carried out several prosecutions over the last 12 months.

“We have an excellent relationship with the many professional landlords in the city, and we know they support us taking this action against those landlords that tarnish the reputation of the whole private rented sector.”

Barnsley Council was unable to provide details of its policy.