Wyre councillor calls for stricter private housing rules amid constituent's "unacceptable" property

Coun Holly Swales, councillor for Bourne ward in Thornton, has now decided to take her concerns about housing to the overview and scrutiny committee, after becoming worried about one of her constituents.

The man from Thornton, who asked not to be identified by his name or where he lives, privately rents a house which Coun Swales explained "was unacceptable and not fit to live in."

"This house in Thornton is damp and he puts up with anti-social behaviour so now his windows are boarded-up," she said.

"He hasn't had any hot water or central heating for months, and it's really affecting his well-being. Why should he have to live like this when he pays rent?

"I don't believe private tenants have as much protection as social housing tenants do, and the council should play more of a role in monitoring these landlords who leave their properties like this."

Coun Swales said she intended to review the housing legislation, in a bid to put tighter rules in place for landlords with help from enforcement officers, if necessary.

"These issues really affect people's lives and I've tried to get this sorted for the tenant for a long time. Landlords who let their tenants live in properties like this need to be held to account.

"It's very frustrating for me because I want to be able to help, and nobody should be made to live in these conditions. Enforcement officers could monitor the landlords who aren't looking after their tenants' welfare."

A spokesman for Wyre Council said: "Our officers inspected the property a number of weeks ago and spoke to the tenant and subsequently with the letting agent. Councillor Swales has been advised regarding the outcome.

"There is no central heating at the property but there are storage heaters. These storage heaters hadn’t been working in the past but are now fixed.

"It is not possible to say if the flat will still be cold in cold weather, with these heaters in full working order. We have advised the tenant to contact us again if a further assessment needs to be made at the very start of the autumn/winter weather.

"There was no hot water previously but this was resolved. A further report of problems with the hot water was received last week, and this too has now been resolved.

"We understand the landlord is looking to replace the current hot water heating system as it is old, and we will monitor matters.

"There was no damp at the time of our officer’s visit.

"The week before last, it was reported that the windows to an empty property below had been damaged, and the letting agent has temporarily boarded up the broken windows.

"Minor repairs that have been flagged to the landlord but there are no significant hazards present. Wyre Council takes the enforcement of privately rented housing very seriously and we respond to tenant complaints quickly and effectively.

"We have no hesitation in taking enforcement action when necessary but will try to work with both landlord and tenant to secure effective repairs whenever possible.

"In this particular case we have tried to support the tenant's relocation to an alternative flat, to allow for modernisation works to take place. If this does not come to fruition we will at all times ensure the landlord maintains appropriate housing standards.

"If tenants have problems of disrepair to their rented property we would advise them to raise the matter with their landlord or letting agent in the first instance. If the landlord fails to address the problem then they should contact our Private Sector Housing Team on 01253 891000 who will visit, assess and progress matters on their behalf as necessary."