Greater Manchester is beginning to strengthen housing enforcement teams in order to take action against landlords and drive up housing standards for renters.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Bev Craig, has hailed 22 newly trained enforcement officers who are hitting the streets in every part of the city region. The recruit comes in the hope to help local councils crack down on poor quality, unsafe housing and improve the lives of renters.
The mayor met the new trainees earlier this year to discuss supporting renters across the city region, enforcing the Renters Right Act and taking action against bad landlords.
The new enforcement officers will follow in the footsteps of thirteen recently graduated trainees, who are all now employed in housing enforcement.
The programme forms part of Greater Manchester’s comprehensive response to the housing crisis.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Bev Craig is investing in retrofitting homes, improving energy efficiency and helping to bring down bills as well as cracking down on the crisis of families and young children living in unsuitable temporary accommodation.
She said: “A safe place to call home is the cornerstone of a happy, healthy life. But for years, people have felt trapped in poor-quality housing, and cash-strapped councils were unable to step in to help.
“I’m putting an end to that.
“I won’t stand by and let rogue landlords take advantage of people. By empowering renters, working with responsible landlords, and using our powers to crack down on the bad ones, I will make sure everyone in Greater Manchester has the foundation for a good life.”
Landlords of more than half of rented properties in Greater Manchester have now signed up as supporters to the Good Landlord Charter.
This means they’ve made a commitment to going above and beyond legal minimums, spreading good practice and improving the renting experience for the community.
Paul Dennett, City Mayor of Salford and Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester said: “The foundational role having a safe, decent, accessible and truly affordable place to call home plays in our lives is critical for Greater Manchester’s residents – from families, children and young people and communities – supporting them with growing up, getting on and growing old, and ensuring everyone has access to a good quality of life, health, economic opportunity and the prospect of living well across our city region.
“To achieve our ambitions, we’re increasing the supply of housing to deliver the homes our growing city region needs, supporting people to live in truly affordable, safe, decent, accessible and energy-efficient homes.”
