The government has announced funding of £2.4 million to step up action against rogue landlords across England.

More than 50 councils will share the funding in an effort to crack down on landlords who continue to flout the law and force vulnerable tenants to live in inadequate or unsafe housing.

Housing Minister Heather Wheeler MP, who announced the funding, said: "Everyone has the right to live in a home that is safe and secure, and it is vital we crack down on the small minority of landlords who are not giving their tenants this security.

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"This extra funding will further boost councils' ability to root out rogue landlords and ensure that poor-quality homes in the area are improved, making the housing market fairer for everyone."

The new funding will be used to support a range of projects that councils have said will help them to ramp up action against criminal landlords – for example, to build relationships with external organisations such as the emergency services, legal services and local housing advocates.

Walsall Council will use the funds to improve cross-agency enforcement work, including the innovative use of drones and thermal mapping to identify problem properties.

Other initiatives include creating a training programme for existing enforcement staff across the Lancashire region, and carrying out coordinated work across Greater London and Greater Manchester.

This funding builds on previous actions from the government to equip local authorities with powers to tackle criminal landlords.

(CM)