Over £9bn of public money is spent on housing people in privately rented homes but over a third of homes fail to meet the Decent Homes standard, according to a new report from think tank IPPR North.
The report, due to be published later this month, will reveal that nearly one million people in receipt of housing benefit live in ‘inadequate’ accommodation. It argues that if councils had more control over how this money is spent, they could drive up standards.
Ed Cox, IPPR North director, said: ‘Our research shows that people on the lowest incomes are not only the most likely to live in sub-standard housing but they are also the least likely to have these problems addressed by their landlord. They are also less likely to take action against their landlord for fear of the consequences.
‘Local authorities are best placed to identify and determine the properties that most need attention. With powers largely in their possession, local authorities should establish not-for-profit agencies to act as a guardian and gatekeeper for tenants living in the private rented sector.’
The report also shows that the number of people living in privately rented accommodation and receiving housing benefit has risen by 900,000 in the last 10 years.
