Council campaign for private tenants

More needs to be done to improve living conditions for people renting privately in Stoke-on-Trent, according to council bosses.

The city council has teamed up with local landlords to launch a campaign aimed at raising standards among the city's 1,000 landlords.

The council estimates that more than 8,000 homes across the city are rented in this sector.

It is concerned that some unscrupulous owners are not providing tenants with basic amenities as well as failing to maintain their properties.

The council fears that this could lead to health and safety problems.

The campaign is backed by the North Staffordshire Landlords' Association which claims the poor reputation of a minority of landlords often overshadows the success stories of many more.