To: Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and Cleveland Police

From: Residents of Brotton, Carlin How and East Cleveland

We, the undersigned, call for urgent action to properly regulate landlords in Brotton, Carlin How and across East Cleveland.

These communities are home to hardworking residents who deserve better. Some absentee landlords have failed to meet basic standards of care. Too often, homes are poorly maintained, tenants lack security, and concerns go unanswered. 

This erosion of housing standards has gone hand-in-hand with a worrying rise in crime, including drug-related offences, arson, vehicle theft, and violence. We believe that everyone has the right to feel safe and secure in their home. Residents believe the council ought to introduce stronger regulation for landlords. 

We call on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council to:

• Strengthen regulation of the private rented sector, using enforcement powers including selective licensing, to hold negligent landlords accountable, improve housing conditions, and encourage stable, long-term tenancies.
  
• Work with TVCA to deliver a place-based regeneration strategy for both areas, focused on safe homes, secure tenancies, and lasting community investment.

We call on Cleveland Police to:

• Increase visible neighbourhood policing across East Cleveland, and work with the council on a Community Safety Action Plan, bringing together housing officers, neighbourhood policing, and public health teams together to address antisocial behaviour and underlying causes of harm.

No community should be overlooked or exploited. We are calling for real change that puts tenants first and restores safety, dignity and pride to the places we call home.