Rogue landlords who exploit the supported housing system at the expense of vulnerable residents could be banned from operating or fined up to £30,000 as enforcement is stepped up across the country.
A £20 million government fund will support councils to crack down on landlords who profit through benefit claims but fail to support their vulnerable residents.
Supported housing provides accommodation alongside care, support, or supervision for residents who may have experienced homelessness, mental health issues or domestic abuse.
Poor-performing landlords will need to improve and provide better accommodation and support or face enforcement action, including penalty charge notices of up to £30,000, prohibition orders on the most dangerous properties or even prosecution.
The funding will enable councils to step up inspection of accommodation standards and provide enhanced scrutiny of Housing Benefit claims to ensure they are reasonable. It will also improve local enforcement of the quality of accommodation and support to residents including supervision, advice, or help with life skills, to help tenants live independently in the community.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove MP said:
Time’s up for rogue landlords who take money from the taxpayer while exploiting vulnerable people.
We are stepping in to help councils crack down on this appalling activity and I will be working closely with Bob Blackman MP on his Private Members’ Bill to deliver tough new laws to end this practice once and for all.
The announcement comes ahead of the second reading of Bob Blackman’s Private Members Bill on 18 November, which seeks to address poor-quality supported housing.
The Supported Housing Improvement Programme funds announced today follow successful pilots in Birmingham, Blackburn, Darwen, Blackpool and Hull councils which helped them carry out over 1,000 property inspections of supported housing backed by over £5 million. A further £6m funding was awarded to these councils through the Supported Housing Programme in August 2022 to help them continue to build on their work here.