City of Lincoln Council’s mission to tackle rogue landlords received a huge boost last week after securing funding from the Controlling Migration Fund.

The £440,000 grant will allow the council to continue its crackdown on sub-standard rented accommodation and to target landlords who cut corners whilst putting their tenants at risk.

Councillor Pete West, Portfolio Holder for Housing said:

“The increase in the buy-to-let property market has created a surge in landlords who are prepared to put the safety of their tenants at risk for the sake of increased profits.

“We don’t want that happening in Lincoln; over the past few years we have run schemes in certain parts of the city where this may have been a problem to clamp down on these rogue landlords.

“Now this extra funding has been secured  we can continue our good work in this area, which will include cracking down on rogue landlords, employing new enforcement officers and conducting inspections.”

The council recognises that rogue landlords are the minority and that they can give other landlords a bad name.

This is why the council launched the Trusted Landlord Scheme in March this year to create a benchmark of acceptable standards in rented properties and to encourage many of the city’s excellent landlords to seek our stamp of approval.

Issues that arise from poor quality rented accommodation can be bad for a tenant’s health, or worse put their lives at risk. Surveys carried out by City of Lincoln Council have highlighted problems with damp, excessive condensation and even exposed or faulty electrics.

Last August, City of Lincoln Council won a court case against a firm of rogue landlords after 14 separate offences were committed. The company and two individuals were ordered to pay more than £30,000 in fines.

On inspecting the property, our Housing Enforcement Officers found many serious health and safety breaches, including broken and missing smoke alarms, loose banisters and overcrowding. Eight tenants shared one kitchen and bathroom, while fire escapes were blocked by furniture and doors padlocked from the outside.

This great work could not have been carried out if it weren’t for an earlier grant of £96,000 from the Department of Communities and Local Government which enabled the council to fund a dedicated team of enforcement officers.

Now that the funding from central government has been confirmed the council will build upon the great work that has already been carried out to improve private rental property standards in Lincoln. 

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