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Citizens Advice responds to DCLG funding to tackle rogue landlords

22 January 2016

Citizens Advice has responded to an announcement by the Department for Communities and Local Government that councils will get £5 million funding to tackle rogue landlords. Councils will be able to use the money to carry out more raids and increase inspections of properties.

The national charity also called on MPs to use the Housing Bill going through Parliament to send out a strong message to rogue landlords

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“Rogue landlords are putting profits before safety.

“Our evidence shows that 700,000 private renters are living in unsafe homes with hazards like exposed wiring, leaking roofs and rat infestations.

“It is good the Government has recognised the problem of rogue landlords and will help councils clamp down on them, but £5 million alone will not solve the problem. Stronger rights and legal protections for renters are long overdue.

“Plans in the Housing Bill to give tenants the right to refunds are encouraging – but MPs must make sure renters don't have to navigate complex legal processes to get a fair outcome. We also want to see the Bill give more open access to local council’s banned landlord list, to help tenants avoid unscrupulous landlords.’

Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local Citizens Advice, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  3. To get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk
  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers.
  5. Local Citizens Advice in England and Wales advised 2.5 million clients on 6.2 million problems in 2014/15. For full service statistics see our publication Advice trends.
  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 service outlets across England and Wales.