Jail sentences for irresponsible landlords

Milan DinicDirector - Content Strategy and Innovation
September 21, 2015, 4:20 PM GMT+0

71% of British people feel landlords who commit housing offences should face jail sentences

As Britain is facing a housing crisis with no near end in sight, the government pledged one million new homes by 2020. The National Housing Federation estimated 974,000 homes were needed between 2011 and 2014. But figures from 326 councils showed only 457,490 were built. However, one of the issues lies with landlords. The Local Government Association (LGA) which represents councils in England and Wales, said landlord who are “creating misery” for tenants should not be just fined but also jailed.

A new YouGov poll finds 71% of British people feel landlords who commit housing offences should face jail sentences.

According to the poll, 50% support jail sentences and find it a significant issue. Another 21% also agree with irresponsible landlords being jailed, but do not see this as a major topic. For one in four there are better ways to punish landlords than jail terms.

Looking at the gender slice, the majority of male respondents – 56% - find this an important issue and support jail sentences, while women lead in the group suggesting for other ways of punishing landlords.

The poll attracted quite a lot of comments. According to one person “most landlords do it for the money so instead of adding to the over-crowding and cost of jail, punishment should hit the pocket and could include forfeiture of the property”, and “I say all this as a landlord”. Another opinion also suggested higher financial penalties, but “for repeat offenders jail should be an option”. In the opinion of one landlord, discussion about fines and harsher punishment should also involve the issue of irresponsible tenants.