Labour MP calls for action against landlords over tenant anti-social behaviour

A Labour MP claims private landlords are allowing anti-social behaviour by their tenants to go unchecked.

In a debate on police funding in the North East, Labour MP Alan Strickland claims councils are failing to act against irresponsible landlords.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords can evict tenants for anti-social behaviour.

Allow crime by tenants to go unchecked

During the debate, Mr Strickland said: “A key concern is about the growth in poorly regulated private landlords who too often allow crime and antisocial behaviour by their tenants to go unchecked. This is again creating more complex policing problems.

“I particularly urge Ministers across government to put more pressure on authorities such as Reform-led Durham county council that are simply failing to act in many cases where irresponsible landlords are allowing their properties to become magnets for crime and disorder, often in previously quiet streets that had very low levels of crime.

“We know that council enforcement teams have got powers to tackle landlords who are refusing to take anti-social behaviour seriously, but too often this simply is not happening.”

Range of tools

When approached by Property118 for comment Durham city council told us the selective licensing scheme helps to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Joe Quinn, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for planning, investment and assets, said: “Our residents want the places they live to be free from trouble, which is why we take our role in protecting communities seriously and work closely with partners such as the police to tackle anti-social behaviour.

“We use a range of tools to tackle anti-social behaviour in private rented properties. This includes community protection warnings and notices and, where necessary, closure orders.

“One of the main objectives of our Selective Licensing scheme, which gives us the powers to regulate landlords, is to address anti-social behaviour. The conditions of the licence require landlords to take action where anti-social behaviour is linked to their property.

“We’ve also strengthened conditions around non-student Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO), with an Article 4 Direction now in place across County Durham to reduce the number of family homes being converted into properties with multiple tenants. We also have an interim policy in place which gives us powers when determining planning applications for HMOs.

“If anyone is worried about behaviour in their community, whether in a town centre or in their neighbourhood, we encourage them to report it to us so that we can take further action. I am also happy to have a conversation with Alan about his concerns.”

Landlords can reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour by asking for references

As previously reported by Property118, under the Renters’ Rights Act, when using a discretionary ground for possession, landlords will have to prove that anti-social behaviour has occurred, and the court will then decide whether it is reasonable to evict the tenant.

The government guidance provides examples of what counts as anti-social behaviour, covering both criminal and non-criminal behaviour, for example:

• causing a nuisance to neighbours
• noise
• verbal abuse, harassment and threats
• drug use or drug dealing
• vandalism
• graffiti
• fly-tipping and littering
• discarding syringes or needles
• issues with pets

However, the government guidance says minor issues such as problems with bins, parking disputes, or one-off incidents do not count as anti-social behaviour.

The government guidance also claims landlords can reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour by asking for a reference from a previous landlord or letting agency.