Council takes over landlord’s ‘disgusting’ properties in licensing crackdown

A private landlord has had the management of his eight properties taken over by a council after they were described as ‘disgusting’.

Property118 readers will be horrified by the photographs from the council published on this page – and they do little to promote the effort and work being done by good landlords.

Newcastle City Council says it has imposed an Interim Management Order (IMO) because seven of the properties had their licenses revoked since they no longer met the required licensing conditions.

Also, one property licence had expired, and the landlord failed to re-apply.

This order, under the Housing Act 2004, allows local authorities to assume control of rented homes when landlords neglect their duties.

All of the properties are within a selective licensing area and the council had tried and failed to get the properties licensed.

Disgusting conditions for tenants

The council’s cabinet member for housing, Cllr Paula Maines, said: “I am appalled by the disgusting conditions that this landlord has provided his tenants.

“This case really highlights the importance of having housing legislation and regulation that must be adhered to by private landlords in our city.

“Our property licensing schemes clearly outline what we expect from landlords and are intended to raise standards in the private rented sector, making landlords more accountable and improving property management.”

She added: “As we’ve shown, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those who fail to licence their properties or who provide inadequate housing to our residents.

“We will do all that we can to act against anyone who thinks it is acceptable to leave people living in such deplorable conditions.”

Unfit to retain licence

The council says that despite numerous efforts to engage with the landlord and inform him of his obligations under the selective licence rules, he remained unresponsive.

However, despite his lack of dialogue with the council, he continued to collect rent from tenants.

Consequently, the council judged him unfit to have a licence, noting no immediate likelihood of the properties being improved.

Tenants endured poor living conditions, including hazardous repairs, rat problems and missing safety certificates.

The landlord could have avoided the council’s intervention by delegating management to a competent third party, but he refused to do so.

Council will run properties

Now, the council’s private rented team will oversee the properties, arranging essential repairs to guarantee that residents enjoy secure and adequate homes.

The cost of improvements will be covered by rental income, which the council will collect directly during the 12-month IMO duration, instead of the landlord.

If the landlord still does not comply with selective licence requirements after this period, the council may seek a final management order, potentially lasting up to five years.