The Local Government Association says the recruitment problems come as councils "struggle" to cope with new duties such as the post-Grenfell building safety system and reviewing the condition of social and private rented sector housing.

The proposal for private rented sector property licensing covering smaller HMOs across the city was approved, and the additional licensing scheme designation made, at a council Cabinet meeting on 17th January.

The former hotel was found to have no guests but had become an HMO occupied by 18 rent paying people living in "squalid" conditions in 11 of the 15 rooms.

The landlord, who failed to renew his HMO additional licence, has been told to repay rent of £1,080 to each of 3 tenants instead of the possible total of £5,400 each under a rent repayment order (RRO).

DLUHC Secretary, Michael Gove, says current damp and mould guidance for social and private rented sector landlords "varies in quality". The HHSRS hazard will also be updated and there will be a Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman under rental reform legislation.

The landlord had let his 3 storey unlicensed HMO property to the tenants, who were not related to each other, and was investigated by the council's private rented sector housing team.

Investigated by Wolverhampton Council trading standards, the fraudulent letting agent also awaits sentencing for unfair trading offences. His agency traded as a Martin & Co franchise.

Sandwell Borough Council's planning committee refused planning permission for a former pub to be converted into a large house in multiple occupation (HMO) despite permission being recommended by its planning department.

Rogue private rented sector landlord Thomas Flight pleaded guilty to committing consumer protection offences against his tenants at Bristol Crown Court after an investigation by Bristol Council's private housing team into his use of false identities and fake letting agencies.

The Labour MP for Leeds West and and local Labour Councillors are reportedly calling for selective licensing to be used to improve Private Rented Sector housing standards in the Armley area of the city.