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Teesside councils are pledging to intensify efforts against negligent landlords after concerns emerged over the low number of prosecutions for housing safety breaches in recent years.
Data obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests by Public Interest Lawyers revealed that between 2019/20 and 2023/24, only one landlord was prosecuted in Middlesbrough and one in Redcar and Cleveland, despite receiving thousands of complaints from tenants about unsafe rental properties.
Middlesbrough Council logged 2,286 complaints during this period, primarily about properties in disrepair, while Redcar and Cleveland recorded 1,113 complaints. Stockton Council did not supply data, stating it was responding to the FOI request “within appropriate timescales.”
The findings show that nearly half of local councils nationwide have not prosecuted a single landlord over the past five years. While enforcement actions such as notices and orders are available, critics argue these can often be ignored without significant consequences.
Lack of Resources Hindering Prosecution
Tom Darling, director of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, described the findings as “worrying” and attributed the low prosecution rates to resource shortages within councils, stemming from years of budget cuts. Darling noted that the issue is not a lack of willingness to act but a lack of capacity to enforce housing standards effectively.
Council Responses
Middlesbrough Council stated it takes a “fair, proportionate, and targeted approach” to enforcement, aiming to resolve most complaints informally. However, the council emphasized that tenant safety remains the priority.
A council spokesperson said:
“Where risks exist, the council will take appropriate enforcement action. This can include prohibiting the use of a dwelling, carrying out urgent actions to remove serious safety risks, or requiring improvements within a specified period. If landlords fail to act, the council can prosecute or issue civil penalties of up to £30,000.”
The council also highlighted its selective landlord licensing schemes in Newport and North Ormesby, which require private landlords to meet specific standards to improve housing conditions.
Redcar and Cleveland Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, Councillor Adam Brook, emphasized a similar approach, stating that prosecutions are only pursued when landlords fail to comply with enforcement actions.
In one notable case, Redcar and Cleveland Council successfully prosecuted Eston landlord Mark Neary for six housing standards offences. Neary, a firefighter, was fined more than £15,000 for failing to address serious safety hazards in flats he owned, including inadequate fire protection and exposed electrical wires.
Stockton Council’s Councillor Nigel Cooke highlighted the success of its selective licensing schemes in areas like central Stockton, Newtown, and north Thornaby. He said:
“Most complaints about landlords are resolved promptly, but enforcement action, including prosecution or financial penalties, will be taken if necessary.”
Calls for National Reforms
The issue of rogue landlords has prompted broader calls for reform. A 2023 review commissioned by former Shadow Housing Secretary Lisa Nandy recommended the creation of a national landlord register and the abolition of “no-fault” evictions, with legislative changes currently under consideration by the Government.
As councils continue to address these challenges, tenants and advocacy groups are urging stronger action to hold landlords accountable and ensure safe, livable housing across Teesside.
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