John Leech MP backs bid to clean up student accommodation

4.03.21pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 30th May 2007

John Leech MP is backing plans to crack down on rogue landlords

John Leech, MP for Manchester, Withington, has backed moves to ensure that bogus landlords brought to book through a system of licensing.

The problem of dodgy landlords has become an increasing problem with many students and young people living in houses that flout regulations. Local people have been made to suffer too as increasing rubbish and waste mean communities are damaged considerably.

"My constituency has one of the highest student populations in the country," John said. "Increasingly, young people are being ripped off because they don't know what their rights are. We need a proper legal system of landlord licensing so that we can build sustainable communities."

"Ofcourse, local residents need to be considered in this process. Some areas in Manchester are reaching saturation point meaning that local people are finding it increasingly difficult to find homes. The Lib Dems would use the new licensing system to create sustainable communities where students and residents can work together to improve the area."

Manchester Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson, Cllr Iain Donaldson, added "Liberal Democrats have been calling for Landlord Registration in this City for many years, it is high time that we saw action to tackle rogue landlords rather than more New Labour Spin."

<<ENDS>>

John Leech MP has signed Early Day Motion 1488 - Balanced and Sustainable Housing and Communities, the text of which is set out below

BALANCED AND SUSTAINABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES

16.05.2007

Blackman-Woods, Roberta

That this House supports moves to unify the definition of houses of multiple occupation; calls for the Government to bring forward proposals to amend the Housing Act 2004 so that all student properties are subject to licence and measures are introduced to control saturation in defined areas; urges local authorities to use the planning system to encourage the establishment of harmonious balanced communities throughout all areas of towns and cities; and welcomes the establishment of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Balanced and Sustainable Communities as a forum of discussion for these issues.