Clamp on landlords who exploit immigrants

Rogue landlords who pack large numbers of migrants into rented houses will be targeted by councils using powers announced today.

The aim of the reform is to prevent residents suffering because of noise, large volumes of rubbish and late night disruption that can occur when properties are crammed full of tenants. The Government also intends to protect migrants from exploitation by landlords who take advantage of their lack of knowledge of British law by placing them in sub-standard and potentially unsafe accommodation.

The move to strengthen councils' powers over rented properties is intended to close a gap which restricts regulation largely to homes more than three storeys high. This has allowed some landlords to cram tenants into ordinary homes without any regulation. Communities Secretary Hazel Blears today told a London conference on migration that council powers to license and regulate houses of fewer than three storeys would be brought forward.

They will allow local authorities to insist on minimum standards and to bar any landlords who fail to comply from renting their properties.

Ms Blears said: "When people come here from overseas to work hard and contribute to the economy and wider society, it is simply not on that they find themselves at the mercy of landlords who overfill unsuitable properties with migrants. Landlords' responsibilities extend beyond merely collecting the rent cheque at the end of the week."

Ministers also revealed details today of a migrant levy of £50 a person to help councils cope with the impact arrivals can have on schooling, health, housing and policing.