Hastings rogue landlord project boosted by £122K grant

Hastings Borough Council’s Rogue Landlord Project will have an extra £122,000 to work with after funding from the department of communities and local government.

The scheme challenges landlords taking advantage of their tenants and educates those who do not know their full responsibilities.

Lead member for housing and communities Kim Forward said: “We want to educate and support good and well-intentioned landlords and we are committed to stamping out the exploitative practices of rogue landlords.

“This new round of funding will enable new initiatives to be launched alongside continued enforcement action.”

The private rented sector in Hastings makes up over 50 per cent of the town’s housing stock thanks to a boom in recent years.

While the majority of landlords and property management companies in the town are responsible professionals providing a quality service to their tenants, there are a minority of landlords and landlord agents who are failing to meet the minimum standards expected of them in law.

The grant will allow the council to take a more collaborative and proactive approach with the establishment of a Rogue Landlord Taskforce and the development of a Rogue Landlord Register.

It will also commission a new service to ensure that tenants are provided with the necessary support to take legal action against landlords who are failing to adhere to legislation. Concerned tenants can report problems to the rogue landlord hotline on 08000 272651.

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