Cornwall wins funding to improve living standards for tenants

Cornwall Council has been successful in its bid for £1 million of government funding to work with landlords to improve living standards for tenants.

Information suggests that people who rent out houses of multiple occupation or converted flats are more likely to experiencing low quality living standards.

The department for levelling up funding will aid the council in improving the experiences of tenants, as rented homes make up almost 20% of all housing in Cornwall.

Cllr Olly Monk, the council’s portfolio holder for housing and planning said: ‘Residents are right to expect a decent home. There are many, many good and responsible private landlords out there who value their tenants and ensure that the home they rent out is of a decent standard. We are in no way tarring everyone with the same brush, but we also know from the complaints we receive and the enforcement action we have a duty to take, that there are properties being rented out that fall short of the required standard.

‘We want to work with those landlords to improve the homes they rent out so that residents who live in them can feel assured that they are being listened to and action is being taken.’

Cornwall Council will be using the money to investigate housing conditions of specific groups and to engage with landlords so poor living standards can be addressed.

Residential properties which are linked to commercial premises such as restaurants and takeaways will be targeted, as well as flats within converted buildings and flats within tourist areas and areas with high deprivation.

The scheme will identify problem areas in specific properties and encourage action by landlords, with the council able to take enforcement action if required.

Monk added: ‘This is about finding new ways to identify properties where our intervention is most needed and then to engage with landlords to make sure they are aware of their responsibilities and helping them to ensure their properties meet expectations. We are here to help both tenants and landlords.’

Photo by Rob Keating