Pendle News Room

Since April 2022, 153 complaints have been made to the Council about landlords who refuse to maintain their property.

Of these complaints, 18 were classed as urgent including seven properties which didn’t have hot water.

Councillor Mike Goulthorp, Deputy Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “Pendle has some excellent landlords and letting agents but we have a vital role to play in tackling those who are irresponsible.

“We want to make Pendle a fantastic place to live for everyone so we’re using our statutory powers and clamping down on rogue landlords.”

At the latest Policy and Resources Committee meeting on 9 February, councillors agreed to a housing stock condition survey which will provide an up-to-date picture of the quality of housing in the borough.

Of the complaints made to the Council which were assessed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, more than half were excessively cold and 60% had damp and mould present.

Informal action was taken which led to improvements being made to the living conditions in 21 homes.

But 10 landlords failed to comply with the informal action which led to further steps being taken by the Council to ensure the work was done.

Sarah Whitwell, Pendle Borough Council’s Residential Team Leader (Environmental Health), said: “In Pendle we have a lot of older properties which need to be maintained.

“If a landlord doesn’t improve the properties within a specific timescale, we can carry out the work and then recover the costs from them and we can prosecute or issue fines.”

Since April 2022, 12 prohibition orders were served, including two emergency prohibition orders, where properties were immediately dangerous.

Councillor Goulthorp added: “Our message is clear - we won’t tolerate rogue landlords who knowingly flout their obligations by renting out unsafe and substandard accommodation.”