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According to recent analysis by City Hall, private landlords in England are receiving £1.6bn in housing benefit each year for providing “non-decent” homes. The concept is touted as being a scandal by London mayor, Sadiq Khan. The problem is particularly severe in the capital, where £500m of welfare money is being spent on privately rented homes that are in poor condition and fail to meet health and safety standards.
The north-west and east of England are also affected, with £250m and £173m being spent on non-decent homes respectively. On top of this, tenants are paying an additional £7.3bn annually to rent these inadequate homes from landlords. This estimate has been described as an outrage by Lens Renters, and Khan is urging the government to take action to address the issue.
The 2021 census revealed that the number of households renting from private landlords in England and Wales increased by 28% in a decade to reach five million. However, the government has yet to deliver on the reforms it promised for the private rented sector in its 2019 manifesto.
The National Housing Federation has raised concerns about overcrowding, citing 310,000 children in England forced to share a bed with parents or siblings, and two million children living in cramped conditions. Additionally, 180,000 families are reportedly having to sleep in unsuitable areas such as living rooms, bathrooms, hallways, or kitchens.
Although plans for a renters reform bill were announced by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, last year, the bill has been delayed. London mayor, Sadiq Khan, has called for the power to raise standards and introduce a rent freeze in the capital. The housing department stated that councils should use their powers to tackle rogue landlords
The housing department's spokesperson commented that councils have been granted powers to take action against rogue landlords, such as imposing fines of up to £30,000 and prohibiting those who rent out hazardous homes.
This story was first published in The Times UK edition.
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