Labour to crack down on rogue landlords

MORE than 450,000 families are living in poor quality rented homes, Labour claimed as the party unveiled proposals for a
national register of landlords
and a voluntary standards scheme.

As part of Labour’s policy review the party is also exploring the possibility of tougher penalties for bad landlords and greater powers for local authorities to tackle the problem.

Shadow Housing Minister Jack Dromey said: “There can be no place in future for homes that are damp, cold and unfit to bring children up.”

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More than 100,000 pensioners are also living in sub-standard homes in the private rented sector, according to Labour’s analysis of official figures.

The party is examining a range of measures to crack down on rogue landlords, including ways to strike them off the proposed register to prevent them being able to rent out properties in future.

According to Labour’s figures, 457,100 families and 108,850 pensioners live in homes categorised as “non-decent”.

The figures show up to 274,620 families with children and up to 65,310 pensioners are in homes with potentially serious hazards such as exposure to asbestos or carbon monoxide, 131,906 families with children and up to 31,411 pensioners face problems with damp including mould.

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Mr Dromey said: “The private rented sector has an important role in meeting housing need. But too many tenants are in poor and sometimes dangerous homes.

“That’s why Labour has set out proposals to drive standards up and bad landlords out. Bad housing harms health and dangerous housing can kill.

“We want to see all families enjoying a decent home, at a price they can afford.

“While the majority of landlords are responsible, there can be no place in future for homes that are damp, cold and unfit to bring children up, holding them back at school.”

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