Basildon Council has been successful in its bid for funding to help crack down on rogue landlords and improve housing in the borough.
The council will receive £58,850 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government’s Private Rented Sector Innovation and Enforcement Fund.
Leader of Basildon Council Councillor Gavin Callaghan said: “Most landlords provide decent homes for their tenants, but a small minority are breaking the law and making tenants’ lives a misery by offering inadequate or unsafe housing.
“This funding will be used to take enforcement action against these landlords, and advise tenants of their housing rights.
“We will identify licensable and non-licensable HMOs and then work with landlords – taking enforcement action if necessary to make them healthier, safer and more secure for the benefit of our residents who are often vulnerable members of the community.
“This is the latest in a growing list of actions the council is now taking in enforcement. From flytipping, to illegal parking in disabled bays through to rogue landlords, Basildon Council is showing we have the teeth to take on those who won’t play by the rules.”
Basildon joins more than 100 councils across England to have been awarded a share of over £4 million to crack down on criminal landlords and letting agents and encourage better relationships between all parties.
