London Assembly members call on London Mayor to “act urgently” to tackle problems with exempt accommodation

An investigation by the London Assembly Housing Committee has found that some “rogue” exempt accommodation providers are “actively targeting vulnerable Londoners and placing them in unsuitable, dangerous housing”.

The Housing Committee has said that the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, needs to act urgently to tackle “serious problems” with exempt accommodation in London.

This comes after a report found evidence of two homicides in non-commissioned exempt accommodation, and people with specific safeguarding needs, such as domestic abuse survivors and care leavers, being placed with an “unsafe mix of residents”.

The committee raises specific concern over non-commissioned exempt accommodation. “In this sector, the usual caps of Housing Benefit do not apply, and there is no consistent regulation or oversight”, the Committee said.

It notes that rogue providers charge “astronomical rents to the local council”, adding that London boroughs have spent at least £107m on exempt accommodation in the last year alone.

Published yesterday (20 March) the Housing Committee’s report gave 19 recommendations to the Mayor and Greater London Authority (GLA) on how to tackle problems with exempt accommodation in London.

The Committee said poor quality housing and a lack of support and safeguarding meant that some residents were living in unsafe conditions, “in the worst cases resulting in serious harm, with rogue providers entering the market to exploit the housing benefit system and charge extortionate rents”.

Recommendations in the report include:

• The GLA should immediately start work with boroughs, providers, and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime to better understand and start to tackle quality issues in exempt accommodation in London.
• The GLA should broaden use of its ‘report a rogue landlord’ and ‘rogue landlord checker’ tool by allowing reporting and checking of exempt accommodation landlords.
• The Mayor should bring together Bob Blackman MP and other London stakeholders to discuss the impact of new regulation on London.
• The Mayor should write to the Secretary of State to highlight that new regulation must come with sufficient new funding, so as not to add an unmanageable burden to London boroughs.

The London Assembly has said it supports the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill brought forward by Bob Blackman MP and believes that “regulation is needed to give local authorities more powers to challenge poor quality providers”.

Sem Moema AM, Chair of the London Assembly Housing Committee, said: “The findings of our investigation are deeply troubling. While the Housing Committee knew of concerns about exempt accommodation nationally, it was shocking to hear the stories of violence and exploitation in London, in housing that costs the taxpayer millions.

“We want to make clear that there are good providers of exempt accommodation in London and we heard examples of excellent support and services to residents.

“But some rogue agents are treating exempt accommodation as a licence to print money, resulting in poor quality housing, a disregard for the appropriate support and safeguarding, and a dangerous environment for the vulnerable Londoners living there."

She added: “Our investigation is the first inquiry into how the issue is affecting Londoners and we believe it uncovers both a financial scandal and a duty of care scandal.

“We urge the Mayor to take forward our recommendations to tackle problems with exempt accommodation in London and end the living nightmare for Londoners exploited by rogue providers.”

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “The Mayor has long called for more investment in the specialist and supported housing sector and he is grateful that the Assembly's report shines a light on poor quality accommodation. 

“The Government’s lack of investment in the specialist and supported housing sector has led to an increase in poor-quality exempt accommodation, with rogue landlords filling the void and exploiting a vulnerable market. 

“Despite these challenging conditions, the Mayor has been working closely with providers to deliver high quality properties to meet Londoner’s needs.  

“City Hall officers are looking at these recommendations in detail and the Mayor will be writing to government urging them for more investment and support.”

Lottie Winson