What is the Pathfinder Project?
Cornwall Council have been awarded £1m to create a comprehensive database of the private rented sector in Cornwall. This will help us to identify and prioritise inspections in private rented homes.
This intelligence led delivery model will establish if this is an effective way to improving housing standards.
The funding has enabled us to set up a new proactive enforcement team. The team will be working in partnership with Cornwall Fire and Rescue until 2025. It also aims to improve engagement with both landlords and tenants.
There are around 49,000 homes in the private rented sector in Cornwall. The South West region has the third highest number of non-decent homes in the Country.
The project will focus on accommodation linked to commercial premises. This includes restaurants, takeaways and hotels. We will also look at poorly converted self-contained flats.
Why is this project important?
Everyone has a right to live in a decent home that is free from hazards. The Council receives calls every day from tenants who are living with cold and damp. Poor quality homes that contain hazards can have a huge impact on a tenant’s health and wellbeing. In some cases, lives are being put at risk.
The Pathfinder team will focus on improving the worst private rented properties. They will use enforcement powers to tackle rogue landlords where necessary.
We know that the majority of landlords across Cornwall want to provide high quality and safe homes. We will engage with, and provide these landlords with information to ensure compliance.
We continue to encourage landlords to join the Cornwall Responsible Landlord Scheme. The scheme newsletter is both informative and insightful. This will be our main method of telling you what we find out about non-decency in the private rented sector.
Results of the project
The operating model will have far reaching effects. It will aid the Government to create a best practice blueprint. Also shaping national regulatory reforms of the Private Rented Sector.
Privacy Notice
This is a government funded initiative. We will issue a privacy notice to you when we get in touch to set up our inspection.
If you want to contact us please email us at pathfinder@cornwall.gov.uk
