Boris Johnson was warned over ‘unrealistic’ landlords scheme

Boris Johnson's flagship plan to help hard-up renters was “unrealistic and unachievable”, according to papers released by Sadiq Khan today.

Data also published by the new Mayor shows that Mr Johnson’s plan to persuade 100,000 landlords to commit to higher standards attracted just 1,800 over four years. The former Tory Mayor’s proposal was so unrealistic it put City Hall’s reputation at risk, officials warned.

Mr Khan said: “Most landlords do a good and decent job, but we’ve got to stop those rogue landlords who are exploiting renters. I’ve got plans to take them on, but it’s very disappointing that little or no progress was made under the previous Mayor.

“It seems Boris Johnson was asleep at the wheel and ignored repeated warnings from officials that his plans were not working.”

The London Rental Standard (LRS) initiative was announced by Mr Johnson four years ago to raise the number of accredited landlords to 100,000 by 2016. It inherited about 13,300 landlords from previous schemes but as of March this year had only attracted a further 1,845.

In February 2013 officials warned that the 100,000 target was “clearly unrealistic and unachievable”.