Sykes joins health expert calls for private rent reforms

Leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats Councillor Howard Sykes MBE has backed calls of leading health experts demanding new reforms of the private rented sector.  Directors of public health across the country have welcomed new measures aimed at improving social housing standards but called for more action to tackle poor conditions in the private rented sector.

Councillor Sykes said, “The consequences of poor-quality housing have been made clear in recent years.  Damp and mould kills.  It is always children and the elderly who are hit hardest.

“The problem is not just limited to social housing.  Too many people who rent privately are exposed to shameful conditions and it has got to improve.” 

New laws came into effect earlier this month (Apr) which now mean social housing landlords will be ‘routinely inspected and held to account’ to ensure they provide residents with quality homes and services.

Councillor Sykes said, “Tough new rules for the social rented sector are very welcome.  But for private renters, there are little to no protections in place.  People deserve safe homes.  And if we get this right, we can prevent people from getting sick and ending up in our struggling hospitals.”

At a meeting of Oldham Council in November last year, Oldham Liberal Democrats won a vote on proposals to ‘get tough’ on private landlords. 

Councillor Sykes said, “After a Liberal Democrat motion was passed last year, it is now Oldham Council policy to serve improvement notices to landlords where they are failing to deal with hazards like damp and mould or to meet energy efficiency standards.”