Published Thursday 3 September 2026 at 10:31
Blackburn with Darwen Council is stepping up its crackdown on rogue landlords, using new Government powers to take tougher action against those who fail to provide safe and suitable homes for its residents.
Ensuring privately rented properties are fit and healthy to live in is a key priority for the Council, which recently prosecuted three Blackburn landlords after a family were left living with damp, mould and no heating.
Now, its dedicated Housing Standards Team has developed a new policy setting out how it will use the strengthened enforcement powers available to it, including those introduced through the Renters’ Rights Act and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.
The powers include additional fines for landlords who fail to meet their legal responsibilities, as well as the ability to act more quickly when court action is required.
With around one in five properties in Blackburn with Darwen being privately rented, the new powers will help the Council protect tenants in a bid to drive-up standards across the borough.
Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Deputy Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Executive Member for Growth and Development, said:
Thankfully, the vast majority of landlords in Blackburn with Darwen are responsible and provide much-needed, safe and decent homes for our residents who aren’t able to get on the property ladder.
We will absolutely continue to support them as best we can.
These new Government powers are for landlords who are quick to collect their rent each month but don’t meet their legal obligations – often leaving incredibly vulnerable residents in homes that just aren’t fit to live in.
It’s wrong and it’s not something we will tolerate.
We have an incredibly hard-working team of Housing Standards officers who deal with around 700 complaints every single year, and some of what they see is just shocking.
These new powers mean the Council can crack down harder and faster on rogue landlords – issuing fines to those who ignore our warnings and, where needed, bring them before the courts more quickly.
The Housing Standards Enforcement Policy sets out how the new rules will be applied to private rented housing, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and, where needed, social housing.
As part of their work, officers inspect properties when complaints are made, advising tenants of their rights and supporting landlords to meet their legal obligations.
Councillor Mahmood added:
First and foremost, we are here to support both residents and landlords, and we often find that complaints can be resolved quickly.
Where the necessary action isn’t taken, then we absolutely will use these new powers – there’s no place for rogue landlords in Blackburn with Darwen.
Our residents deserve somewhere safe to call home. They shouldn’t have to live in properties riddled with damp and mould or without heating, like the family in the case we prosecuted recently.
There’s also handy guides for landlords and residents explaining the new Renters’ Rights Act.
You can also contact the Housing Standards Team directly by emailing: housingstandards@blackburn.gov.uk