The Government has pledged to crack down on bad landlords by giving local councils new powers to control the spread of high numbers of shared rented homes in areas where they are blighting neighbours lives.

Housing and Planning Minister John Healey announced new powers requiring landlords to get planning permission when they want to convert a family home into a shared rented property.

Councils will get more flexibility in licensing landlords without having to get permission from the Government first - and a national landlords’ register will be introduced to make landlords behave responsibly.

Mr Healey said yesterday: “I am giving councils more powers to target the worst landlords and so stop the spread of high concentrations of shared homes where it causes problems for other residents or changes the character of neighbourhoods”.  

“Private landlords play a big part in meeting the housing needs of millions, so I want to raise the standards and stamp out the worst landlords that drag down the reputation of the rest.

Local councils play an important role in helping tenants whose landlords rent below standard or unsafe properties. The new proposals have been welcomed by many councils, tenants and residents in areas with high concentrations of Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) who want a more balanced community.

The changes come after concerns over an increase in HMOs in towns and cities causing anti-social behaviour, noise and empty towns in the holidays.

The changes are set to be put into place by April and may provide peace of mind for tenants wanting to rent in certain areas.

It is important for landlords to take out the appropriate Landlord Insurance when renting out a property.