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Many local authorities struggle with the problem of rogue landlords, but Cambridge City Council is no longer willing to turn a blind eye.
A Level Playing Field
Councillors responsible for housing in the city are determined to crack down on rogue landlords.
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“In order to make improvements to the private rented sector and level the playing field for the majority of good landlords, we will continue to target the small number of landlords who take advantage of tenants by renting out dangerous properties. We hope that by our actions we will show that there is no place in Cambridge for rogue landlords,” said Councillor Kevin Price.
Unfortunately, even though 200 investigations into illegal evictions, properties falling into disrepair and bad management were instigated, only one of the subsequent landlord prosecutions was successful. The landlord in question lost his HMO license and was fined.
Booming Private Rental Sector
Cambridge is a massively popular university city and more than a quarter of homes are in the private rental sector. The rise in the number of private landlords has led to more evictions and complaints, but the council is trying to help landlords and a training programme has been developed to ensure they know what their legal responsibilities and obligations are.
The council is also undertaking a “housing stock condition survey” to help bring long-term empty homes back into use. An “empty homes” officer has been appointed and funding established to help owners bring these properties back on to the market.
