Rogue landlords could be fined up to £30,000 or be banned from operating, as new government funding enables councils to crack down
Rogue landlords who exploit the supported housing system could be fined up to £30,000 or be banned from operating as enforcement is enhanced across the country.
A £20m government fund will support councils to crack down on landlords who profit through benefit claims but do not support their vulnerable residents.
Residents of supported housing may be particulalry vulnerable to rogue landlords
Supported housing provides accommodation for residents who may have experience of homelessness, mental health issues or domestic abuse alongside care, support, or supervision.
The funding will enable councils to step up inspection of accommodation standards and provide enhanced scrutiny of Housing Benefit claims to ensure they are reasonable.
It will also improve local enforcement of the quality of accommodation and support to residents including supervision, advice, or help with life skills, to help tenants live independently in the community.
Poor performing landlords will need to improve and provide better accommodation and support or face enforcement action, including penalty charge notices of up to £30,000, prohibition orders on the most dangerous properties or even prosecution.
The increased funding follows successful supported housing pilot schemes
The Supported Housing Improvement Programme funds announced today follows successful pilots in Birmingham, Blackburn, Darwen, Blackpool and Hull councils which helped them carry out over 1,000 property inspections of supported housing backed by over £5m.
A further £6m funding was award to these councils through the Supported Housing Programme in August 2022, to help them continue to build on their work.
New legislation will offer more protections to tenants
The announcement comes ahead of the second reading of Bob Blackman’s Private Members Bill on 18 November which seeks to address poor-quality supported housing.
Housing secretary Michael Gove MP said:
“Time’s up for rogue landlords who take money from the taxpayer while exploiting vulnerable people.
“We are stepping in to help councils crack down on this appalling activity and I will be working closely with Bob Blackman MP on his Private Members’ Bill to deliver tough new laws to end this practice once and for all.”
