Crackdown on lazy landlords in Burnley and Pendle

Lazy landlords who let their properties fall into disrepair are going to come under closer scrutiny.

A new initiative aimed at tackling these property parasites will be launched in Burnley following a successful bid for Government cash.

The Government approved a total of £109,000 to be split equally between Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn and Blackburn to fund enforcement work around unfit housing.

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Burnley and Pendle have teamed up to pool their funds and pay for an enforcement officer who will target rented housing to improve their condition.

The officer will work with private landlords whose properties have tenants in them but which do not meet the required standards.

“The vast majority of landlords keep their properties in good condition,” said Coun. Howard Baker, Burnley Council’s Executive member for housing and environment.

“However, we know there are some poor quality properties out there as well with tenants living in unacceptable conditions.

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“It’s the responsibility of all landlords to keep their properties up to an acceptable standard but in some cases this doesn’t happen. No-one should be expected to live in unfit conditions.

“The funding will pay for an enforcement officer who will investigate complaints, work with landlords and get them to make any necessary improvements.

“If they won’t, the council has powers to issue an enforcement notice to make landlords carry out work, and if they still refuse we will take them to court.

“Tenants who have concerns should contact us and we will act.”