An investigation has found the Government’s much vaunted rogue landlord database has not got a single name on it and it is not available for public scrutiny.
The database went live over six months ago and it was intended to be a key tool in tackling the worst behavior of private sector landlords. But work by The Guardian newspaper and ITV News has uncovered a complete failure of the system to work as publicised. It appears only convictions for offences committed since April this year can be used to ‘name and shame’ an offending landlord. And even when rogue landlords have their details entered on the database, it will only be accessible to people who work for central or local government. Not allowing public access to the list is a major flaw and appears to undermine commitments given during the consultation phase. Because of flaws in legislation it also means that landlords banned from one local authority area can still let out homes in other areas, while they are also free to operate in the locality where they have been banned provided they use an approved third party.
The news agencies were forced to use Freedom of Information Act inquiries to find out what is and is not happening with the database, as it appears the Government is understandably embarrassed by the inadequacy of this ‘flagship’ scheme to improve conditions in the private rented sector. The Guardian provided details of some notorious landlords, many of them who are still operating despite having a string of convictions for housing offences and being blasted by council officers and judges for their appalling treatment of tenants. The secrecy and absence of information on the Government’s database contrasts sharply with a separate rogue landlord database run by the Mayor of London’s office. The London version allows the public to view prosecutions of rogue landlords in the capital’s boroughs for a year after the conviction date. Data available includes the nature of the offence, the landlord’s address, their fine, which council prosecuted them and which property the offence was committed at.
David Cox, chief executive of the Association of Residential Letting Agents slammed the situation, saying “This is a truly ridiculous piece of legislation. How on earth is a tenant supposed to know if a landlord has been banned?” The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government said it was “exploring further options for making information contained with the database available to prospective and existing tenants”.
By Patrick Mooney, editor