Council wins cash to tackle rogue landlords and improve accommodation in Exeter

Published: 31 January 2020

Rogue landlords are to be targeted in Exeter after the Council successfully secured a government grant to improve substandard accommodation in the city.

Exeter City Council joined forces with the University of Exeter and partner agencies to successfully bid for £43,000 of government money.

The money will help the Council work with landlords and agents to find and deal with properties in poor condition and support vulnerable tenants to complain when they live in substandard accommodation.

Cllr Emma Morse, Lead Councillor for Supporting People, welcomed the news. She said: “This project sends out a clear signal. Exeter welcomes and supports good landlords and agents who look after their tenants; we don’t expect them to subsidise the management of bad housing. We will help vulnerable people living in poor housing, and we are setting up systems that will continue to identify substandard accommodation in the future – there will be no place to hide.”

Over 28% of homes in Exeter are privately rented, which is significantly higher than the national average of 19%. The City Council is currently reviewing its Private Sector Housing Enforcement policy so that action can be taken against the small minority of landlords who persist in breaking the law. Alongside this, the Council will offer advice and information to tenants on their housing rights. Everyone deserves to live in a home that is safe and secure.