Rogue landlords will find it harder to operate in the borough after the council signed up to a charity scheme.

Sutton Council is working with housing charity Shelter to do more to make landlords aware of their responsibilities and to make sure people do not have to live in sub-standard conditions.

The council is running landlords' and tenants' forums where people can share information and listen to speakers who will explain issues and how they affect housing.

Council officers will also look to mediate where relationships between tenants and landlords have broken down and take action where landlords are found to be at fault.

Councillor Jayne McCoy said: "We pride ourselves on having very good relationships with landlords and tenants in the borough.

"Signing up to the Shelter campaign is an extension of our commitment to working with all parties to try and ensure that residents live in decent conditions."

Campbell Robb, Shelter’s chief executive, said: "We are pleased that Sutton Council is committing to firm action against rogue landlords.

Every day at Shelter we see the devastating impact rogue landlords have on people’s lives, and we’ve been campaigning to urge government and councils to crack down on this small but highly dangerous minority who make people’s lives a misery."