Council joins national pilot to strengthen private rented housing enforcement
We are taking part in a new national pilot aimed at strengthening action against landlords who rent out unsafe or poor-quality homes, helping to protect tenants and recover public funds.
The pilot, led by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), focuses on improving the effectiveness of Rent Repayment Orders (RROs). RROs allow councils to reclaim housing benefit or Universal Credit housing costs that have been paid to landlords who commit serious housing-related offences, such as renting out properties that do not meet legal safety standards.
As part of the pilot, we have been granted access to the DWP's secure customer information system - Searchlight. This system enables them to view relevant benefit information, including Universal Credit, we'd otherwise not have access to. This helps us to accurately calculate the amount of benefit that can be recovered through an RRO
The initiative is designed to act as a strong deterrent to landlords who fail to meet their legal responsibilities, while making sure that public money is not used to subsidise unsafe or substandard accommodation.
Councillor Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
"Everyone deserves a safe, decent place to live, and the vast majority of landlords in Gateshead do the right thing. This pilot gives us an important new tool to deal with the small number who don't. By strengthening our ability to use Rent Repayment Orders, we can better protect tenants, hold rogue landlords to account, and recover public money that should never have been paid for poor-quality housing."
Nationally, concerns about housing standards in parts of the private rented sector have grown in recent years, with government data showing that a significant proportion of enforcement action is limited by access to timely and accurate information. By improving data sharing between councils and the DWP, the pilot aims to make enforcement faster, fairer and more effective.
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, said:
"Thanks to this pilot, private renters in receipt of housing support will have stronger protections against landlords who fail to meet public standards.
"No one should live in unsafe or unsuitable housing. We are giving local authorities the tools they need to deter bad housing practice, and ensuring better value for money by upholding safe standards."
If successful, the pilot could lead to permanent access to Searchlight for councils across the country, making this approach part of routine housing enforcement and strengthening protections for private renters nationwide.
We will continue to work closely with tenants, landlords and partner organisations to improve housing standards and ensure that the private rented sector is safe, fair and well managed for everyone.
If you or someone you know are experiencing disrepair at a privately rented home, contact our Private Sector Housing team on 0191 433 2350 for advice.
We are taking part in a new national pilot aimed at strengthening action against landlords who rent out unsafe or poor-quality homes, helping to protect tenants and recover public funds.
The pilot, led by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), focuses on improving the effectiveness of Rent Repayment Orders (RROs). RROs allow councils to reclaim housing benefit or Universal Credit housing costs that have been paid to landlords who commit serious housing-related offences, such as renting out properties that do not meet legal safety standards.
As part of the pilot, we have been granted access to the DWP's secure customer information system - Searchlight. This system enables them to view relevant benefit information, including Universal Credit, we'd otherwise not have access to. This helps us to accurately calculate the amount of benefit that can be recovered through an RRO
The initiative is designed to act as a strong deterrent to landlords who fail to meet their legal responsibilities, while making sure that public money is not used to subsidise unsafe or substandard accommodation.
Councillor Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
"Everyone deserves a safe, decent place to live, and the vast majority of landlords in Gateshead do the right thing. This pilot gives us an important new tool to deal with the small number who don't. By strengthening our ability to use Rent Repayment Orders, we can better protect tenants, hold rogue landlords to account, and recover public money that should never have been paid for poor-quality housing."
Nationally, concerns about housing standards in parts of the private rented sector have grown in recent years, with government data showing that a significant proportion of enforcement action is limited by access to timely and accurate information. By improving data sharing between councils and the DWP, the pilot aims to make enforcement faster, fairer and more effective.
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, said:
"Thanks to this pilot, private renters in receipt of housing support will have stronger protections against landlords who fail to meet public standards.
"No one should live in unsafe or unsuitable housing. We are giving local authorities the tools they need to deter bad housing practice, and ensuring better value for money by upholding safe standards."
If successful, the pilot could lead to permanent access to Searchlight for councils across the country, making this approach part of routine housing enforcement and strengthening protections for private renters nationwide.
We will continue to work closely with tenants, landlords and partner organisations to improve housing standards and ensure that the private rented sector is safe, fair and well managed for everyone.
If you or someone you know are experiencing disrepair at a privately rented home, contact our Private Sector Housing team on 0191 433 2350 for advice.
