Stories of families surviving in mouldy and damp flats have become all too familiar as Bristol's housing crisis rages on.
Many tenants living in rented accommodation have been forced to live in sub-standard properties because demand far exceeds supply.
And sadly Bristol is not alone. The situation is echoed across the South West which is why the government has today (Friday) pledged money to the area to crack down on criminal landlords.
More than £90,000 is being handed to Bristol and North Somerset to help council chiefs tackle the ongoing issue.
Already in North Somerset, landlords face being hit with a £30,000 fine if they fail to keep their rented properties in good condition.
But now the council plans to spend more cash on encouraging landlords to join a local accreditation scheme.
The South West as a region will be awarded £340,000 to tackle the widespread problem.
Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: “This Government will deliver a better deal for renters.
"It’s completely unacceptable that a minority of unscrupulous landlords continue to break the law and provide homes which fall short of the standards we rightly expect – making lives difficult for hard-working tenants who just want to get on with their lives.
“Everyone deserves to live in a home that is safe and secure and the funding announced today for the South West will strengthen councils’ powers to crack down on poor landlords and drive up standards in the private rented sector for renters across the country.”
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