Sheffield Council has boasted that it’s one of the keenest prosecutors of rogue landlords in the UK.

While some authorities struggle to make one prosecution each year, Sheffield achieved 24 successful prosecutions in the last five years, reports The Sheffield Star. The Yorkshire authority issued 130 financial penalties to private landlords during the last three years, including 79 in 2023/24. Since 2021/22, it has also made 3,683 people safer - it claims - by removing hazards identified in property inspections.

Many of the council’s prosecutions of rogue landlords come under the Protection from Eviction Act of 1977 and its private housing standards team are successful in 98% of the prosecutions they take to court.

Due diligence

Catherine Hughes, service manager in private housing standards, says she knows of only two cases where the council didn’t get a successful prosecution.

“That is down to the due diligence of the staff investigating the cases,” explains Hughes. “We have had cases with landlords getting custodial sentences and we work to publicise it. It’s really important that people see that.”

Publicising successful cases should help prospective tenants search online for a potential landlord to discover if they have been prosecuted before. However, it adds that the private housing standards service is a last resort for tenants, who should always try to address any issues with the landlords first.

Councillor Douglas Johnson (pictured), chair of the housing committee, says it’s important that tenants are aware of their rights.

He adds: “Tenants do have a lot of rights and certainly the right to not be a victim of crime. We want people to have the confidence to report things to us. If you have any concerns you must speak to your landlord, but when the landlord isn’t undertaking their duties then the council will take action.”