With your help, the Evict Rogue Landlords campaign has already achieved so much. Thousands of you got involved by signing our petition, watching the film with Sean Lock, writing to your MP and tweeting about the campaign. The amazing public support has forced the government to accept that more needs to be done to tackle rogue landlords - in July Grant Shapps, the Housing Minister, even said “We're determined to stamp out rogue landlords.”

But now there is still more to be done. Now we need to get all local councils to get tough with rogue landlords. With your help we can reach our ultimate goal of evicting all rogue landlords – for good.

What's the problem?

Over the past 10 years, the number renting from a private landlord has increased hugely. And it will continue to rise as waiting lists for social housing grow and more people are priced out of home ownership.

Anyone renting a property from a private landlord deserves to be treated fairly and with respect. Whilst most landlords are responsible and honest, a minority of rogue landlords are getting away with renting out homes that are in an appalling state of repair, and deliberately exploiting their tenants. Living in rundown or unsafe housing can severely harm the health and well-being of tenants.

What needs to change

Shelter believes that much more needs to be done to bring rogue landlords to justice.

Local councils should:

• Enforce the laws that already exist to stamp out rogue landlords
• Prosecute rogue landlords when they do not comply with the law
• Proactively inspect properties to make sure that they are appropriate homes for tenants
• Introduce landlord accreditation schemes
• Publicise the tough stance the council is taking in the local press

The government should:

• Be clear that they expect councils to take action against rogue landlords
• Make funding available to prosecute large-scale persistent rogue landlords
• Ensure that there are clear guidelines for the courts about punishing rogue landlords

There’s more information on what needs to change in our new policy paper.