Lib Dems to fix Labour’s landlord licencing mess
Southwark Liberal Democrats have announced that in their alternative budget for the council, they will include measures to raise standards in private housing, including shared houses and those requiring landlord licenses.
This comes after the chancellor Rachel Reeves failed to secure a landlord license for her Southwark property, despite the rules being introduced by a Labour council, and her advocating for the policy in her own constituency in Leeds. The Liberal Democrats then discovered that Labour’s Southwark housing boss Cllr Michael Situ had also fallen foul of the rules, and he was forced to resign.
The opposition party are proposing to give more resources to the private rental sector enforcement team to allow them to be more proactive in enforcing existing policies, as well as reviewing the policies to ensure that standards are raised across the board. The initiative is set to also raise income at the same time – meaning that value for money for taxpayers is being preserved whilst also raising standards.
Shared houses, known as Homes of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are often the source of some of the lowest housing standards, and all require up to date licenses.
Archie McCann, who rents a room in an HMO in Southwark, discovered that his landlord’s license had been expired for a year – but the council had failed to ensure it was renewed. Further investigation showed that his landlord had in fact filed the correct paperwork, but the council had let it fall through the cracks.
Archie said:
“It’s really frustrating as a private renter that the processes you trust to keep your safe are not being followed. It shouldn't’ fall down to individuals to chase the council to make sure that all the right paperwork is in place, which ultimately is what gives you the assurance that your home is safe and fit for purpose. It’s astonishing that even when people like me are fortunate to have landlords trying to follow the rules, the council still can’t get its act together to provide that assurance.
Commenting, Southwark Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain said:
“We already know that Southwark is the worst landlord in London with how it treats its social housing tenants, but Labour are also letting private renters down – many of whom are paying through the nose for poor quality housing.
When even Labour cabinet members and senior government figures can’t follow their own rules, it shows that Labour cannot be trusted on housing.
It’s especially damning that even landlords who are trying to follow the rules and be good landlords are still being messed around. The entire system is not working for anyone, and it’s residents who are suffering.
We’re proposing a fully costed way of making sure that all landlords are following the rules, and that all housing in Southwark is up to scratch. Whilst Labour flounder in chaos, Liberal Democrats have a plan to fix Southwark.
