Publication from Caroline Pidgeon: Rogue Landlords in London

The surge in London’s private rented sector over the past decade has led to almost 2 million people renting privately in the capital.

A third of privately rented homes do not meet the Government’s Decent Homes standard and the enforcement of standards varies significantly.

Cuts to local authorities have reduced their ability to protect renters from sub-standard living conditions. That is why Caroline undertook a survey to identify how best to prosecute rogue landlords and improve housing conditions across the capital.

• Quarter of councils in London failed to prosecute any landlords for providing unsafe accommodation in 2015/16

• Half of London’s councils prosecuted fewer than 10 landlords for providing unsafe accommodation in 2015/16

• One council alone (Newham) was responsible for more than two-thirds of prosecutions taken under the Housing Act (2004) in London

• Over 4,000 Category 1 hazards (the most serious risks to tenants) were identified in London’s private rented sector properties in 2015/16 alone

• London boroughs inspected one in every 54 homes in the private rented sector using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

1. The Mayor should undertake an urgent review of conditions in the private rented sector and encourage a consistent approach to enforcement across the capital
2. The Mayor should work with Government to increase the resources available to local authorities
3. The Mayor's database of rogue landlords should include details of all enforcement activity carried out by local authorities in London
4. The Mayor should lobby Government for the power to introduce a mandatory licensing scheme for all private landlords in London
5. The Government should abolish restrictions on the size and coverage of selective licensing schemes in London
6. All boroughs should keep an up-to-date record of the number of inspections carried out using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System