By Lucy Caulkett-
Labour councillors in Portsmouth want to see rogue landlords banned from renting in future, by using a licensing scheme to filter out such landlords.
A debate set for tomorrow aims at introducing a mandatory licensing scheme for all landlords which will make it easier to prevent rogue landlords from operating. The initiative comes after several locals have complained about an insufficient drive to address failings by landlords that compromise the well being of tenants.
Councillor Cal Corkery told The Eye Of Media.Com that residents in the area have been complaining about the effects of poor landlords in the area. He said: ”the motion to introduce this licensing scheme has come off the back of lots of conversations with residents in Portsmouth. They yearn for tighter regulations of landlords.
We are hoping all the other representatives back the motion for the scheme we have campaigned for to empower us to regulate landlords more effectively. Councils that operate the type of scheme we are proposing usually have a much more effective regulation system of landlords that make it difficult for rogue landlords to thrive.
Tenants and neighbours deserve to know that the local authority is doing all it can to improve their lives and the Labour Group is committed to making that happen.’
Portsmouth City Council are pushing for a system that requires all HMOs to be licensed, as currently only those that house five or more people are affected.
Mr. Corkery said that if the campaign to institute the licensing scheme is not successful tomorrow, the campaign will continue and he would do all in his power to hold rogue landlords in Portsmouth to account. ” Tenants deserve the best treatment and service from landlords”, he added.