Council launches new taskforce to tackle rogue landlords and drive up housing standards

The new Rogue Landlords Taskforce will use data, local intelligence and targeted inspections to identify private rented properties where landlords or other responsible people may be failing to meet their legal duties.

For the first time in the borough the taskforce will focus on proactive enforcement, including inspections of licensed properties where there are concerns about compliance, suspected unlicensed properties, and areas where intelligence suggests poor housing conditions, fly-tipping or poor waste management may be linked to private rented accommodation.

Lewisham has a large private rented sector, with privately rented homes making up around a third of the borough’s housing stock. The Council already operates property licensing schemes to help regulate private rented homes and take action where landlords fail to meet required standards.

So far this financial year, Lewisham Council has issued 153 enforcement notices – almost as many as in the whole of the previous year (155). Also, new legislation has allowed us to impose larger fines, totalling £160,875 since April – more than double the amount issued during the previous 12 months. And we expect the new taskforce to increase the rate further.

Income from financial penalties is ringfenced for the council’s private rented sector enforcement work, helping to fund further private sector housing investigations and enforcement.

The taskforce will prioritise wards where data suggests there is a higher likelihood of non-compliance, including areas with suspected unlicensed properties or a history of enforcement action.

Enforcement action could include civil penalty notices, statutory notices or prosecution where appropriate, proportionate and supported by the evidence. The Council will use financial penalties to help make operating as a rogue landlord a non-viable business model.

The Council will continue to support good landlords who meet their responsibilities, while taking firm action against those who flout the rules and put tenants at risk.

The taskforce will also work with other Council teams and partner agencies where intelligence points to wider issues linked to privately rented homes, such as poor waste management, fly-tipping, fire safety concerns or other housing-related risks.

Cllr Natalie Thomas, Cabinet Member Safer Homes, Homelessness and Housing Services, said:

“Improving conditions for renters in Lewisham has been one of my top priorities since I was appointed. Everyone deserves a safe, stable and decent place to live. Most landlords want to do the right thing, but we know there are still too many cases where tenants are being forced to live in properties that are mouldy, rat-infested or downright dangerous because their landlords fail to meet their legal responsibilities.

“Landlords who cut corners and break the rules should expect to be caught, but we also want this work to encourage landlords across the borough to raise their standards before enforcement action is needed. Getting fined up to £40,000 is not a good way to save money.

“By targeting rogue landlords, we can drive up standards across the private rented sector, protect residents and make sure those who break the rules are held to account.”