Liverpool City Council has launched a taskforce to go after rogue landlords involved in criminality who exploit vulnerable tenants.

The council has secured £2m from a Department for Levelling Up pathfinder to launch a new way of working which will see the local authority collaborating with partners and organisations across the Liverpool city region.

The aim of the Private Sector Housing Intelligence and Enforcement Task Force is to disrupt landlords involved in exploitation, such as sex work and drug dealing.

Working closely with Trading Standards, Children’s Services and Merseyside Police, the taskforce will gather intelligence on criminal activity and carry out targeted enforcement.

Cllr Sarah Doyle, cabinet member for housing, said: “This taskforce is about tackling criminal rogue landlords who do not care about their tenants, nor our city.

“They are exploiting tenants for their own financial gain, taking advantage of extremely vulnerable people who are afraid to speak out because they are terrified of the consequences.

“Due to the nature of the issues we are dealing with, drawing up evidence is extremely time consuming and complicated, which is why we have secured funding for a dedicated team to work specifically on this.

“This is a key part of our commitment to improving our neighbourhoods and making them better areas places to live for our residents.

“We all want the best for the city, and by working closely with partner organisations we can and will make a real difference to vulnerable people, and help drive rogue landlords out of Liverpool.”