Hambleton District Council’s leadership has welcomed the introduction of powers to crack down on rogue landlords by clawing back rent.
The council’s cabinet said implementing the use of rent repayment orders, which became available to local housing authorities in the Housing and Planning Act 2016, would provide protection to tenants, while also supporting good landlords.
Members said the private rented sector was an important part of the area’s housing stock, having seen substantial growth over the past 15 years.
While the Housing Act 2004 originally introduced rent repayment orders to cover situations where the landlord of a property had failed to obtain a licence for a property, the orders have been extended to cover offences ranging from failing to comply with improvement notices to illegal evictions.
The orders are made by the First-tier Tribunal, requiring a landlord to repay up to 12 months’ rent following an application by the tenant or the local housing authority.
The council, as the local housing authority, will consider applications for rent repayment orders when the rent has been paid through housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.
While it will be in the council’s financial interests to make applications for rent repayment orders, there will also be an expectation on the authority to that the provide advice, guidance and support to tenants to enable them to make their own applications where appropriate.
The council’s portfolio holder for environmental health, waste and recycling: Councillor Stephen Watson told members: “It is all about rogue landlords and how we deal with them. This gives us the teeth to tackle problem landlords and it will also give tenants some powers.”
Councillor Kevin Hardisty added: “With the change in the private rented sector over the last 15 years, this is excellent news. It is good that we are looking after our people living in the private rented sector.”
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