Responding to government funding of nearly £2.4 million for councils to tackle rogue landlords, Cllr Judith Blake, Housing spokesman for the Local Government Association, said:
“The vast majority of landlords are responsible and provide decent housing for their tenants, however the reputations of that majority are being tarnished by the small minority of landlords who exploit loopholes with no regard to their responsibilities.
“Councils want to support a good quality local private rented offer in their communities, but can be held back by significant funding pressures and uncertainty. It is therefore good that the Government has announced a funding boost for councils to help ensure the small minority of rogue landlords improve standards.
“We ask that the Government now follows this announcement by granting more freedom for councils to establish local licensing schemes.”