BURNLEY and Pendle councils have teamed up to crack down on rogue landlords.

The two authorities have secured government grants totalling more than £50,000 to fund enforcement work around unfit housing.

Landlords who allow their properties to fall into disrepair will be targeted.

Central government approved a total of £109,000 to be split equally between Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn and Blackburn, but Burnley and Pendle have decided to share their cash to employ a full-time enforcement officer for one year.

Pendle Council leader Joe Cooney said: “We have a number of problem landlords with properties in both Pendle and Burnley so it makes sense for the authorities to work together. This funding will give us extra resources to tackle some of our worst housing conditions.”

The officer will work with private landlords whose properties have tenants in them but which do not meet the required standards.

Coun Howard Baker, Burnley Council’s executive member for housing and environment, said: “The vast majority of landlords keep their properties in good condition. However, we know there are some poor quality properties.

“The funding will pay for an enforcement officer who will investigate complaints, work with landlords and get them to make any necessary improvements. If they won’t, the council has powers to issue an enforcement notice and if they still refuse we will take them to court.”

A selective licensing scheme in the Trinity area of Burnley is already in place to improve landlords’ management of properties, with similar schemes under consideration in Gannow and Queensgate.