'Landlord licensing scheme should cover our homes'

Ren asked her landlord to repair holes punched into her rental property's walls before she moved in

As Leeds City Council announces tighter regulations for some landlords, renters describe some of the challenges posed by their housing conditions.

Issues such as rats, mould and broken plumbing leave tenants saying they feel "hopeless and demoralised," as they call on the council to hold more landlords to account.

"It is really disgusting and you sort of get used to it - but you should not have to," Sally Heier says.

The 33-year-old moved into property at Cumberland Court in Headingley in September, but started receiving messages from her landlord warning her about rats in her block before moving in.

"They said we would be charged for cleaning up the mess and to get rid of the rats," says Sally, who chose the apartment because it was in her price range and a convenient location for work.

"It is scary because they carry disease, they make quite a lot of noise and you cannot sleep - it is shameful really.

"You laugh about it because otherwise you would cry - it is all fun and games until there is one in your flat."

Landlord Spencer Properties says any reported maintenance issues have either been resolved or are being dealt with promptly and it takes its responsibility towards tenants "extremely seriously".

Sally would like tighter regulations for landlords in all areas of the city

Living in Headingley, Sally's property will not be covered by the new licensing scheme for landlords announced by Leeds City Council last week.

The proposals will see tighter rules imposed on private landlords in some of the city's most deprived communities.

Among the licensing conditions, landlords will be legally required to ensure gas or electric appliances work safely and their properties are in a decent state of repair.

About 12,500 privately rented homes will be covered by the scheme in the Armley, Beeston & Holbeck, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill, Gipton & Harehills, Hunslet & Riverside and Farnley & Wortley council wards.

All private landlords will be legally required to obtain a licence for any residential property they let.

However, the council said the scheme cannot be rolled out across the city because not all areas would meet the conditions set by government for the initiative.

Sally is disappointed her flat will not need to get a licence - she says that as well as renting with rats, she has to boil the kettle to wash pots because the hot water "takes forever".

"Landlords need to be held accountable.

"You need to provide proper housing, if you are not willing to do that then you should not rent it out to people."

In a statement, the landlord of Cumberland Court, Spencer Properties, says "several investigations into reports of rats have been conducted by professional pest control contractors."

They say "the matter has been referred to Leeds City Council for further support".

Izaak has asked for repairs to take place in his apartment

Izaak Hurry-Greenhough, 26, has lived in Cumberland Court for the past four years.

He says he has dealt with mould on his walls and broken appliances, as well as rats, in that time.

Despite this, the rent has continued to rise, Izaak says.

"When I first moved in, it was around about £500, now it's £660 - it drives me bonkers.

"This is not a luxury, is it?" he asks pointing to his apartment as he adds, "the place looks awful, I have lost hope".

The spokesperson for Spencer Properties says: "Rents are reviewed in line with local market conditions and remain fair and competitive for the area.

"Any reported maintenance issues have either been resolved or are being dealt with promptly."

They say they "continue to take our responsibilities to our tenants extremely seriously".

Renters in Leeds have been living with holes in their walls as well as black mould, broken appliances and rats

Alongside the council's landlord licensing scheme, the new Renters' Rights Bill is due to come into force and aims to bolster tenants' rights.

As part of the changes, no-fault evictions would be banned, tenants would be able to challenge unfair rent increases and bidding wars would be stopped to safeguard tenants from higher prices.

Ren Chester, who rents in Armley, could see her landlord become subject to licensing conditions under the Leeds City Council scheme.

"I would like no silverfish and no black mould", she says.

Ren says she had also asked her landlord to repair holes punched into the walls of her home before she moved in.

She says there are also burn marks in cupboards and black mould in the washing machine.

"Landlords are reluctant to fix, it is just something we are taught to accept", she says.

The 20-year-old has welcomed the idea of tighter regulations for landlords.

"Conditions are not that good, I do feel like landlords do not prioritise tenants' needs, so having checks and balances would be a good thing".

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