Responding to new guidance published by the Government on rogue landlords, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has welcomed the guidance but criticised it for being long overdue.
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published two sets of guidance covering both landlord and tenants rights and responsibilities in the private rented sector, and rogue landlord enforcement and guidance for local authorities.
The rogue landlord guidance looks at issues such as assessing and managing a local authority’s private rented sector, the powers that local authorities have to take action against rogue landlords, and practical advice for officers.
MHCLG has also stated that following its nationwide programme of workshops, rolled out to help enforcement officers learn from one another, the guidance published aims to ensure that those responsible for protecting tenants can use the powers available to them to maximum effect.
Tamara Sandoul, Housing Policy Manager at CIEH, said: “This new guidance is a welcome development, but long overdue. We have been in need of clear and up to date guidance bringing together local authorities’ powers on housing enforcement for some time, but we are glad that it has finally materialised
“We hope this document prompts a more proactive approach towards private rented housing from all authorities. However, we recognise that the ability to implement this guidance effectively depends on locally available resources and local political will to do so. We look forward to continuing to work with government to improve housing standards across the country.”
