William Eichler 06 June 2024

Councils only respond to third of housing complaints

Councils only respond to third of housing complaints  image
Image: Agenturfotografin / Shutterstock.com.

Local authorities only responded to a third of complaints about hazardous private accommodation between 2021 and 2023, according to freedom of information data.

Under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) councils can carry out inspections to identify hazards in rented properties following a complaint by a tenant. They are then able to compel the landlord to act where hazards are detected.

However, FOI data obtained from 295 councils in England by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has found that between 2021 and 2023, half of all inspections conducted under the HHSRS were carried out by just 20 local authorities.

Sixteen percent of councils were unable to provide any inspection figures and 37% were unable to provide any housing tenure specific data related to tenant complaints.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, said: ‘Calls for new laws to tackle rogue and criminal landlords are distracting from the fact that councils routinely fail to make the best use of the powers available to them. The focus must be on swift, consistent enforcement. This is in the interest of households and responsible landlords.’

An LGA spokesperson: ‘Everyone deserves a safe, decent, warm and affordable place to live and councils do everything they can to tackle bad practice and take action, as appropriate, to raise standards in the private rented sector.

‘However, many local enforcement teams do not currently have the resources and capacity to proactively tackle poor standards in the PRS.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner