ROGUE landlords are set to be hit with £30,000 fines for failing to meet health and safety standards in tough new council measures.
The plans by Southend Council are expected to focus on electrical safety standards and carbon monoxide alarm regulations.
If the plans are agreed tomorrow, it will give the council greater powers to ensure health and safety standards are followed and give the council powers to give fines of up to £30,000 for those landlords who don’t comply.
Ian Gilbert, Labour councillor for economic recovery, regeneration and housing, said: “The report states how the private rented sector is growing steadily, and it is an important sector within Southend for providing housing, but we also have a duty to ensure those homes are up to a decent standard.
“Let’s not forget most landlords are decent, responsible and take care of the homes they own.
This policy is aimed to tackle the minority who allow their properties to fall below certain standards.”
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Martin Terry, Independent councillor for community safety, added: “It has been clear for some time that we need to do something to regulate the standards within the private housing sector.”
It comes after the council brought in a selective licensing scheme for landlords which will allow the council to set minimum standards for private rented properties.
It was approved in March 18 and covers families living in private rented homes within specific neighbourhoods in Milton, Kursaal, Victoria and Chalkwell wards.
Judith Codarin, of South Essex Alliance of Landlords, said the council knows which landlords do not follow the rules and must take action.
She said: “We’ve always welcomed the fines and things like this. It is important the council deals with landlords who do not look after properties and I do feel sorry for people in unsuitable homes.
“It is a complex issue with a grey area and I think we need a system where the council goes in and fixes the issue with the home.
“I also think tenants should be fined if they don’t keep a home at a good standard too.”
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