TIGHTER regulations are needed to tackle sub-standard bedsits in Blackburn with Darwen according to council bosses.

Borough community safety manager Mark Aspin said if there was an inspection framework similar to Ofsted or the Care Quality Commission, the majority of houses in multiple occupation (HMO) - commonly known as bedsits - around the borough would be shut down within a year.

But he told Blackburn with Darwen Council scrutiny committee the council did not have powers to properly tackle the problem, with some properties having no carpets, no furniture and not even any paint on the walls.

“One of the issues we have is with old care homes - they have already got planning consent to operate as HMOs.

“All they need is a licence to operate as an HMO which is just a very basic fit and proper person test.

“Some of these people unfortunately have made themselves very wealthy through this industry.

“If you spent £100,000 on an old care home and used it as an HMO it would be worth five times that in the current climate.

“Blackpool has more than 2,000 HMO spaces. We don’t have the same challenges but the warning signs are there.”

Head of safeguarding, community protection and specialist services Paul Lee added: “I think the answer is a tougher national inspection regime around these properties.

“They are basically funded with public money through housing benefits and there should be some sort of accountability.

“Unfortunately at the moment we don’t really have any teeth beyond basic checks.”

Cllr Paul Marrow suggested smaller bedsits with just three or four rooms which would be easier to manage.

He added: “There are too many people in these properties and in smaller groups they would be easier to control.

“As a borough, we are seen as a place to go to improve your lot. We all want the best for the residents of Blackburn with Darwen but we can’t take everyone from across Lancashire.”

The council’s housing needs manager, Stephen Richards, added the borough’s housing problem was being made worse by the introduction of universal credit, where housing payments are made directly to tenants rather than landlords.

He added: “It’s not just Blackburn, it’s nationally. It’s going to be really difficult for people with chaotic lifestyles.”