Andy Burnham Intensifies Fight Against Manchester’s Problematic Landlords

After winning re-election, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has pledged to use £600,000 of council taxes to implement strategies aimed at confronting landlords who are not following regulations.

Burnham has introduced the Property Check scheme, which gives tenants the power to request an inspection to ensure their rental meets the Decent Homes Standard. Initially tested in Salford, the scheme involves the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to carry out these checks.

Andy Burnham stated, “With this new right for all residents to have a property check, coupled with robust measures to defend renters and target non-compliant landlords, we’re putting Greater Manchester on track to become the first Housing First city-region in the UK.”

He informs us that around 56,000 private rentals, or 23%, and nearly 82,000, or just under 17%, of all rentals do not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Burnham also notes, “A large number of tenants are hesitant to file complaints due to fears of eviction, which suggests that the actual percentage of substandard rental properties could be as high as 40%.”

New initiatives include a team of housing law specialists who will offer advice to tenants and identify opportunities to protect them from harassment and illegal eviction risks. A project with Oldham Council will explore options for reclaiming housing benefit payments from landlords who provide substandard housing.

The Good Landlord Charter, which will be put into action this year, aims to collaborate with cooperative landlords to elevate the quality of housing.

Recent surveys of private renters in Greater Manchester revealed multiple issues: 43% faced damp and mould, 31% endured absences of hot water or central heating, 20% experienced electrical problems, 20% lived with roof leaks, and 12% contended with pest infestations within the past year.