Cumbria is set to benefit from a £1 million+ Conservative Government pilot scheme to crack down on rogue landlords and improve living standards for those in rented properties.
This news was welcomed by MP for Penrith and The Border, Dr Neil Hudson, who has campaigned on a range of housing issues from boosting affordable local housing and cracking down on second home ownership's detrimental effects on rural communities to petitioning for improved rights to keep pets in rented accommodation and supporting local housing associations.
Areas soon to come under Westmorland and Furness Council are to benefit from one of seven national pilot schemes aimed at cracking down on rogue landlords and test new approaches to driving up standards backed by £14 million in Government funding.
The Cumbrian region was chosen due to its high numbers of poor privately rented homes. Local housing stock tends to be older, less insulated or energy efficient, and more likely to be warmed with heating oil or other non-gas grid fuels.
In Eden, the area of Penrith and The Border receiving the Government monies, the local council reported that around 55% of all homes have no access to mains gas and approximately 18% of all homes are rented. The funding is therefore aimed at tackling cold homes and the detrimental impact they have on people's health and wellbeing. This will primarily be done through bolstered inspection and enforcement powers.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
"This is really positive news for our renters here in Cumbria and I'm proud our Conservative Government has reinforced that everyone deserves to live in decent accommodation and provided the funding to make it possible.
"Put simply, much of Cumbria's housing stock is old and cold. Now, this is no fault of renters, so I hope this pilot can improve their living standards and provide informative feedback to Government formulating national policy.
"My congratulations to Eden District Council which led the bid and provides a great service helping people, and particularly vulnerable people, with all their housing needs locally."
The Social Housing Regulation Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, will also ensure tenants’ complaints are listened to and dealt with quickly and fairly, with new powers for the Housing Ombudsman to take action on complaints.
A stronger regulator will have powers to enter properties with only 48 hours’ notice and make emergency repairs where there is a serious risk to tenants and the landlord has failed to act, with landlords footing the bill.
To make sure tenants know their rights and can hold housing providers to account, the government is also launching a £1 million public information campaign early next year.
