A CRACKDOWN on rogue housing landlords is set to start early this year after Rossendale Council secured Government funding.

Council chiefs have successfully bid for a slice of funding from a £3 million pot to tackle irresponsible landlords who allow their tenants to live in unsafe and squalid conditions.

Full details of the funding are yet to be finalised but the council will use it to launch Operation CARL (Co-ordination Against Rogue Landlords).

Coun Alyson Barnes, leader of Rossendale Council, said: “This is good news for Rossendale.

“While only a small borough council, we do experience acute and multi-complex problems associated as a consequence of rogue landlords and their operations.

“We believe that Operation CARL is an exciting and innovative approach that will tackle this problem and provide a blueprint for others to follow.

“Rossendale has a strong track record in delivering unique, cutting-edge projects from our Pennine Lancashire Empty Homes Scheme to our STAN (Services to a Neighbourhood) the Van, providing outreach services for both councils and peer support agencies.” The main focus for the scheme will be co-ordinated action across a number of agencies, such as the Department for Work and Pensions and Trading Standards, to target rogue landlords operating in Rossendale and will include prosecution where evidence exists of criminal activity.

Coun Helen Jackson, portfolio holder for housing and environmental health, said: “The council takes the issue of poor housing standards very seriously.

“This scheme will provide us with the resources so we will be in a position to empower more tenants to come forward and help us to take action to stop the on-going, underlying abuse being perpetrated by rogue landlords.”