The shadow chancellor has accused the government of presiding over housing legislation that is “not fit for purpose” and has thrown his support behind calls for a national registration scheme.
The comments were made after a Guardian and ITV News investigationrevealed that convicted landlords who have been ruled unfit to rent out their properties are continuing to operate by exploiting loopholes in the law.
His remarks also follow a swift U-turn by the government. Theresa May has pledged to give tenants access to the government’s new rogue landlord database after the Guardian and ITV News investigation revealed that not a single name had been entered into the system in more than six months since its launch – and that even when landlords’ names were listed, the public would not be allowed to see them.
In an interview with the Guardian, John McDonnell said: “Landlord licensing is not fit for purpose and the problem of rogue landlords is extensive. We need an effective scheme, local authorities that are properly resourced and improved tenants’ rights.
“We are running a consultation to consolidate the powers available to local authorities and I would be in support of a national licensing scheme, in order to make regulation consistent for all landlords across the country and to stop the rogues from switching local authorities.”
The Guardian and ITV News investigation showed how rogue owners are collecting rents – often funded by taxpayers via housing benefit – despite being convicted of housing offences and failing to pass the “fit and proper” person tests required by housing legislation in England and Wales.
For more read the full of article at The Guardian
