Rogue Landlords be Warned: Database Enables London Boroughs to Name and Shame

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has set up a new database for boroughs to submit records of successful prosecutions and fines of rogue landlords and letting agents.

All 33 London boroughs have now signed up to be a part of it. This means that landlords or letting agents who have been prosecuted or fined across the capital will now be publicly accessible on an online database. In addition to the public side of the database, local authorities will also be able to access certain records which cannot be viewed publicly, but which are available for local law enforcement authorities to help crack down on living conditions in the capital.

The database is primarily designed for protecting private renters in London, enabling them to check up on landlords and letting agents before they enter into tenancy agreements.

As it currently stands, ten boroughs have now submitted their reports, with the rest expected to follow shortly. The first six boroughs to sign up to the scheme were Newham, Brent, Camden, Southwark, Kingston and Sutton.

One record that has already gone up is of a landlord in Westminster, who was fined £150,000 after a major fire took place in a block of flats they owned.

The database is accessible here, on the City Hall’s website.

New database enables private renters to access information regarding rogue landlords and agents

Sadiq Khan Comments

Sadiq Khan says, “When I launched the checker I made it clear unscrupulous landlords and agents would have nowhere to hide. Now, with all local authorities signed up, we have reached an important milestone in protecting London’s renters.

“The rental market in the capital is difficult enough to navigate without a small minority of rogue operators exploiting their tenants. This tool will empower Londoners to make an informed choice about where to live.

“I’m extremely grateful for the support of all the local authorities and other bodies which have signed up to contribute their records to the database. I’m confident this will be a major step in tackling unscrupulous and illegal practices in the rented sector.”

In addition to this new database, Khan has also launched a property portal on City Hall’s website, which advertises affordable homes to rent or buy in the capital. This accompanies the Shared Ownership home search, which provides prospective London buyers with a way to get onto the initial step of the property ladder.

Khan continues, “I refuse to stand by as thousands of Londoners suffer sky-high rents and horrendous living conditions in a city they call home.”