The government has announced it is clamping down on how housing benefit is accessed, with plans to curb access for “rogue landlords.”
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is making another £350m available to boost housing delivery in the UK.
This includes a further £300m for the Affordable Homes Programme to create up to 2,800 extra homes and £50m for the Local Authority Housing Fund to support temporary accommodation provision.
As part of this, the government is cracking down on “exploitative behaviour” by rogue or criminal supported landlords.
Deputy prime minister and housing secretary Angela Rayner said these changes were being made to combat the “unacceptable” current status of temporary accommodation.
Adding his support, Gavin Smart - CEO at the Chartered Institute of Housing - welcomed these steps to better protect how benefits are distributed.
“The government will imminently set out plans to crack down on exploitative behaviour by rogue and criminal supported housing landlords who are costing the taxpayer by claiming uncapped housing benefit in return for providing squalid homes for some of the most vulnerable, leaving them without the care or support they need,” said Gavin.
“These plans respond to horrendous cases, including criminal gangs buying large properties and putting vulnerable people in mouldy rooms with just a bed, then providing no care, and other cases where rape victims have been housed with sex offenders.
“In areas like Blackpool, Birmingham, Blackburn and Hull whole streets have been overcome with open drug use and anti-social behaviour.
“A new licensing scheme, tougher standards, and the ability to stop housing benefit going to rogue landlords are all part of the plan, to be unveiled next week.”
Further details on these measures, such as how rogue landlords will specifically be identified and have access restricted, are to be released imminently.
