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Liverpool Council launches landlord whistle blowing hotline

Bad landlords will soon come under scrutiny after Liverpool City Council launched a “whistle blowing” hotline that will allow tenants to anonymously report bad practice.

The 24-7 hotline will ask tenants to report intimidating behaviour carried out by landlords in Liverpool, as well as any criminal activity, overcrowding, anti-social behavior and unlicensed Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

With over 50,000 private tenancies in Liverpool, calls received by the city council’s contact centre, Liverpool Direct, will trigger an investigation from the Public Protection Enforcement Team.

Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for housing, Cllr Ann O’Byrne, said: “We are absolutely determined to drive up the quality of private rented properties in this city, and a major part of this is making sure tenants feel safe and secure in their homes.

“This hotline will provide an invaluable resource to those who are being mistreated by their landlords, or whose accommodation is being poorly managed or maintained.

“It will also allow us to gain intelligence – and take firm action - on unlicensed properties and those which have become a focal point for anti-social behaviour, criminal activity and fly-tipping.

“This is just one part of the work we are doing, through our 10 Point Pledge, to work with landlords and create a level playing field for all.

“It’s about us building on our positive relationships with good landlords in the city, while clamping down on those who refuse to engage with us, and whose practices give Liverpool’s private rented sector a bad name.”

Callers can remain anonymous, and emergency calls, where the tenant is at risk of harm or danger, will be passed onto Merseyside Police or to Liverpool Direct Limited’s Careline Service.

The new hotline (0800 707 6245) forms part of the city’s ‘10 Point Pledge’ to raise standards in the Private Rented Sector.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .