Several landlords in Gloucester have been prosecuted after Gloucester City Council launches an investigation to crack down on unsafe privately rented accommodation.
The council has joined forces with Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and Trading Standards to improve conditions in multiple occupancy houses and raise awareness of unsafe environments.
The city council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee has pledged its commitment to improving privately rented housing in the city. Already existing landlords who rent unsafe properties have been identified and informative leaflets have been distributed to raise awareness.
It was immediately agreed by the committee that Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and Gloucestershire Trading Standards Service would work in partnership with Gloucester City Council to tackle unsafe properties.
This joint approach took affect instantly as a series of unannounced inspections were carried out.
The benefits of the partnership were seen straightaway with 37 properties visited, malady 68 per cent of which where identified as poorly managed. A further 33 properties in the city are scheduled to receive a further investigation.
As a direct result of partnership working, pilule there have already been three successful prosecutions, 325 served enforcement notices and properties that have been illegally converted into flats have been identified.
Cllr Colin Organ, cabinet member for housing, health and leisure said, “Whilst the majority of landlords operate within the law and offer a good standard of housing, there are some who don’t. This jointly targeted approach has already identified some of these properties and ensured improvements are made straightaway, and we still haven’t finished our investigations.”
Cllr Mary Smith, chair of the overview and scrutiny task and finish group said, “I am really happy with the results we’ve seen so far. It was clear from the first meeting that we needed to take a joint approach on tackling these issues and I’m the results justify the decision. Bad landlords will know that they will not be tolerated in Gloucester.”