Suffolk councils get £2.2m to tackle rogue landlords and improve housing for renters
It will be used of hire staff, offer training and take rulebreakers to court
Councils across Suffolk have been awarded £2.2m to improve living conditions for people in privately rented homes across the county.
The cash, which comes from the Department of Housing, Levelling Up and Communities, will be split between authorities in Babergh, East Suffolk, Ipswich, Mid Suffolk and West Suffolk.
It will be used to hire extra staff, to fund the inspection of properties, to offer training to local landlords and to take those who break the rules to court.
Local councils say court action is a 'last resort', but they will act against landlords who consistently let properties which are of poor quality.
Issues with dangerous accomodation have hit the headlines recently, with the death of two year old Awaab Ishak in December 2020, from a repiratory condition brought on by extensive mould in his parents one-bed flat in Rochdale.
Steve Gallant, Leader of East Suffolk District Council, took the lead on the funding bid. He said:
“The private rental sector plays a huge role in meeting the growing demands for housing – so we want the best possible relationships with our private landlords."
"We want to ensure they have access to the information and support they need to maintain their properties in a way that benefits everyone.
“We know that good quality housing has a positive impact on tenants’ health and wellbeing, reducing the likelihood of them developing a condition that requires health or social care, so this is important not only for ensuring living standards, but also their quality of life.
“Enforcement action against landlords will only be taken as a last resort – but this additional funding means that tenants who live in unsatisfactory housing conditions can receive the help they need.”