CORNWALL Council wants to use new enforcement powers to improve the standard of homes for rent.

As many as half the 40,000 homes in the county’s private rental market are thought to be failing to meet the Government’s Decent Home Standard - and a growing number of families with young children are living in them.

The council wants to come up with a strategy to drive better quality homes.

It’s consulting on proposals including:

Considering new forms of property licensing to regulate and improve standards in shared and single occupation properties, where they fall short.

Working with landlords to improve the 4,500-plus privately rented properties in Cornwall known to be poorly insulated and therefore expensive to heat.

Embracing new powers, such as banning orders, and piloting compulsory purchase to tackle the worst landlords who continue to provide poor quality housing.

Creating better opportunities to widen access to private sector rented accommodation to those in the most housing need.

Beefing up the existing Cornwall Responsible Landlords Scheme so that it helps more landlords comply with the raft of complex laws and regulations that apply to owning and managing rented homes.

New enforcement powers will see fines of up to £30,000 for landlords who break the law.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for homes, Andrew Mitchell, said: ‘Private sector rentals are the backbone of a healthy and resilient housing market in Cornwall.

‘The 40,000-plus properties in Cornwall’s private rented sector perform a vital role in meeting the housing needs of thousands of Cornwall’s residents.

 ‘At their best, landlords in this sector provide safe, secure and comfortable accommodation that meets the expectations of tenants who live there.

‘We want to work with these landlords to share best practise, in order to drive up the standards where accommodation falls below expectations or in some cases is unsafe or illegal.

 ‘Safe, affordable housing is a key priority for Cornwall Council and this new strategy will help us to address the significant challenges and drive up standards in this vital area.’

The consultation on the new strategy is aimed primarily at landlords, tenants and others in the private rental sector.

It ends on February 23.

You can have your say at