Bassetlaw: Mann demands action on landlords who benefit from welfare system

A GMB Union study showed that private company landlords earn hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money each year in housing benefit.

The survey’s figures showed that in the East Midlands alone there are 108,527 households renting private accommodation from companies that are entitled to housing benefit.

For 30 per cent of tenants entitled to housing benefit, the cash is paid directly to landlords.

Mr Mann said: “I welcome this research from the GMB as it shows that private companies are having their buy-to-let property portfolios subsidised by the taxpayer.”

“Out of control rents and a lack of affordable new homes means that we now have the bizarre situation whereby owners of companies on the Sunday Times rich list have received £300,000 of taxpayers’ money.”

“The Government has let the housing crisis get completely out of control, and millionaire private landlords are reaping the benefits.”

“We cannot allow taxpayers’ money to subsidise extortionate rents.”