Councils Should Compete In PRS

Councils should become more proactive in the private rented sector and use housing benefit money to improve standards, according to a new report. With £9.3 billion in housing benefit annually being given to private landlords, the think tank IPPR North says local authorities should compete with letting agents and use profits to improve the condition of thousands of properties. The report shows that nearly one million vulnerable households, many of whom are in receipt of housing benefit, are now living in inadequate accommodation. In total, over three million vulnerable households are now living in the private rented sector. In addition, the report points out that the number of people living in privately rented accommodation and receiving housing benefit has risen by 900,000 in the last 10 years. Read more on 24dash.