PETITION LAUNCHED TO TACKLE ROGUE LANDLORDS AND RESTORE PRIDE IN EAST CLEVELAND

Luke Myer MP joins residents calling for stronger landlord regulation in Brotton, Carlin How and beyond

A new petition is calling on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council to introduce selective licensing and tougher enforcement against rogue landlords in East Cleveland.

The petition, created by Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Luke Myer, demands action to hold negligent landlords accountable, improve housing conditions, and restore safety and pride to communities. It also urges Cleveland Police to step up neighbourhood policing and work with the council on a joint Community Safety Action Plan.

Luke said:
“Our villages are proud, close knit places, but a small number of irresponsible landlords are letting them down. Too many homes are badly maintained, with little care for who is moved in, and residents are left to live with the consequences. This petition gives the community a voice and puts real pressure on the council to act.”

The petition comes after Luke raised the issue in Parliament, calling for selective licensing in areas where poor housing management and antisocial behaviour are causing harm. Selective licensing would require landlords to register properties, meet safety obligations, and take responsibility for tenant conduct, a scheme already in place in parts of Middlesbrough and Stockton.

Residents say problems in Brotton, Carlin How and surrounding villages include crime, fly tipping, and intimidation are linked to a small minority of tenants. Long standing residents have spoken out about feeling unsafe in their own homes, while local councillors have described repeated efforts to clean up alleys being undermined by rubbish dumping and repeat offending.

Luke added:
“This is about taking back control of our estates. Selective licensing is a proven tool, but the council needs a strong evidence base to introduce it. The more people who sign the petition and report issues, the harder it will be for decision makers to ignore.”

Sign the petition here: https://lukemyer.uk/east-cleveland-landlords/

The petition also calls on the council to work with the Tees Valley Combined Authority on a place based regeneration strategy focused on safe homes, secure tenancies, and lasting investment, and for Cleveland Police to increase visible neighbourhood policing.

Luke concluded:
“We all want East Cleveland to be a place where people feel safe, respected and proud of their streets. This petition is the next step in making that happen.”

References

Background on Selective Licensing

Selective licensing requires landlords in designated areas to register their properties, meet specified safety and management standards, and take reasonable steps to ensure tenants do not engage in antisocial behaviour.
The call for selective licensing follows Luke’s intervention in the House of Commons on 8 July 2025, where Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook confirmed that councils now have full powers to introduce such schemes regardless of size.