Southwark Council names rogue landlords and agents for the GLA’s new checker
19 December 2017
Southwark Council is one of the first six London councils to have named and shamed rogue landlords and agents, for City Hall’s new Landlord and Agent Checker, which is launching today (19 December).
Southwark is very much ahead of the curve when it comes to identifying and prosecuting bad landlords. The council has successfully prosecuted eight landlords this year, the latest being a case that was heard last week. The council also succeeded in securing a jail sentence for another particularly irresponsible landlord.
The GLA’s Checker makes publicly available a list of private landlords and agents who have been successfully prosecuted by local authorities for jeopardising private tenants’ health, safety and welfare and/or failing to adhere to landlord legislation. This empowers private tenants, who can now investigate their landlord before securing a property. The checker also enables private tenants to quickly and easily raise a complaint about a bad landlord with their local council.
Southwark Council has recently stepped up its already highly evolved campaign to uncover and prosecute rogue landlords. New, monthly door knocking sessions mean that officers are now regularly talking to residents and inviting them to help identify bad landlords. 265 potentially unlicensed premises were uncovered during a recent session in Camberwell.
The council has operated a landlord licensing scheme from January 2016, this means that private landlords face prosecution if they fail to secure a license for their property/properties. The council also prosecutes bad landlords and for proceeds of crime.
Southwark Council is working across service areas to improve standards for people living in private rented housing. Cross council co-operation means that the Council Tax, planning, trading standards, licensing, tenancy relations and other teams are all working together to help identify rogue landlords and protect private tenants.
Southwark Council is an early ambassador for the GLA’s Landlord and Agent Checker and joined Newham, Brent, Camden, Kingston and Sutton, to be one of the first London councils to input enforcement action taken against the capital’s landlords.
Cllr Barrie Hargrove, Cabinet Member for Communities & Safety, said: “Southwark Council introduced private rented property licensing in January 2016. We have continued to actively pursue and prosecute bad landlords, whilst supporting willing, compliant legitimate landlords.
“This new rogue landlord and agent checker will help tenants to report bad landlords and help them make informed decisions when considering a new landlord, or agent. This is another great step towards achieving a good standard of private rented housing in Southwark.”
Page last updated: 19 December 2017