A TARGETED crackdown on sub-standard rented homes in Oldham will see landlords offered a cash incentive to meet minimum housing standards.

The council has agreed to pilot a private sector rented offer which it says is aimed at improving property standards, raising awareness, upping engagement and increasing housing supply within Oldham’s private rented market.

It is thought without further direct intervention, poor accommodation and a lack of social and affordable housing will remain a problem in the borough, with a rising population piling on further pressure.

A report by Albert Margai, the council’s principal housing market intervention officer, revealed that the demand for social housing in Oldham is three times higher than its neighbouring authorities, Bury, Rochdale and Tameside.

“The lack of sufficient social rented housing placed an enormous demand on the private sector to address the growing demand for housing,” he states.

“The demand for private rented accommodation in Oldham has been unprecedented, demonstrated by record numbers of applicants approaching Oldham Housing Advice Service.

“The increased pressures led to the emergence of low demand areas in Oldham, rife with predominately outdated pre 1919 terraced housing stock.”

The trial new policy would see minimum property standards introduced, with landlords paid a cash incentive when they sign a contract with the town hall.

And a bond scheme will also be brought in as a way of creating a ‘gateway’ to landlords, and making sure they keep their property in good condition.

It also aims to “bridge the gap” between social and private housing by giving people who cannot afford to pay a deposit and are on a waiting list for oversubscribed social housing the opportunity to rent privately.

There are 15,185 households living in privately rented homes, far outstripping the numbers in social housing.

The paper bond guarantees that the landlord can claim money from the council, normally equivalent to one month’s rent, if their property is not left in a suitable condition once the tenant leaves.

Paper bonds will be tied to each tenancy, and have the lifespan of that tenancy, and the cost of the scheme will be absorbed through the council’s housing revenue accounts.

But Mr Margai adds that while the pilot must be “market competitive”, it should not succumb to the “lucrative appetite” of the private rented market.

It follows the successful implementation of a three year selective licensing policy in 2015 which aimed to crack down on rogue landlords within eight areas of the borough.

The rules placed a legal responsibility on landlords to make sure their properties met minimum safety standards.

If they did not comply with the terms they were committing a criminal offence and could be prosecuted by the authority.

Since the launch of the scheme seven “death trap” unlicensed properties have been closed down, following raids with GMP, Immigration Enforcement and Electricity Northwest.