Report a rogue landlord Shelter urges

Rogue landlords are putting their tenants’ lives at risk by failing to deal with serious and life threatening hazards.

According to research from Shelter released today, there are a staggering 1,477 landlords known to local authorities who are making tenants’ lives miserable.

Complaints about landlords have increased to a whopping 86,628 last year alone.

During the last two years, complaints about dangerous gas and electrics have also risen by 25 per cent.

Despite the increase in problems, there have only been 270 successful prosecutions made by local authorities against rogue landlords.

Campbell Robb, Shelter’s Chief Executive, is urging local authorities to use their powers to tackle rogue landlords and take a zero tolerance approach.

He said: “The reality is that rogue landlords are out there and they’re getting away with it.

“Every day at Shelter we see the devastating impact rogue landlords have on peoples’ lives as they remain trapped in homes that cause misery and, in some cases, put lives at risk. What’s more we believe there could be thousands more tenants who are suffering in silence, holding back from complaining out of fear of the consequences or because they don’t feel their voices will be heard.”

As part of their Evict Rogue Landlords campaign Shelter has set up Rogue Landlord Watch, an interactive map to help people avoid falling victim to rogue operators in their local area.

To Report a Rogue, get advice, or to find out more about the rogues who may be operating in your area, visit Shelter’s Rogue Landlord Watch website at www.shelter.org.uk/evictroguelandlords