Thurrock Council is among 100 local authorities to receive a cash boost from the government to help tackle rogue landlords and improve accommodation for vulnerable people rehomed within the borough.

The government announced that £4million is being shared between more than 100 councils across the UK to take on criminal landlords and letting agents who offer inadequate or unsafe housing.

Thurrock Council will get £27,000 to target landlords who are operating unregistered care homes that provide residential accommodation to young adults from outside of Thurrock.

The work will be undertaken by the council along with Essex Police and the Youth Offending Service in the hope of disrupting gangs and county lines.

Council leader Councillor Rob Gledhill said: “I would like to thank the government for this funding which will mean that we are able to break the cycle of crime some of these young people can fall into when sent to homes in Thurrock by other local authorities.

“By taking this innovative approach we will be able to ensure vulnerable young people moved here get the help and support they need to start their adult lives off on the right track in good quality accommodation.”

Councillor Barry Johnson, cabinet member for housing, said: “This initiative will target exploitative landlords and enable good landlords to thrive. By working with landlords to ensure privately rented homes are safe and well managed, we can ensure that those living in shared flats and houses have access to a good quality and safe home.”

Councils already have strong powers to force landlords to make necessary improvements to a property through use of a range of measures, including civil penalties and banning orders for the worst offenders. But this funding will help to fund specific projects across the country such as the one aimed at supporting young tenants in Thurrock.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP said: “It’s completely unacceptable that a minority of unscrupulous landlords continue to break the law and provide homes which fall short of the standards we rightly expect – making lives difficult for hard-working tenants who just want to get on with their lives.

“Everyone deserves to live in a home that is safe and secure and the funding announced today will strengthen councils’ powers to crack down on poor landlords and drive up standards in the private rented sector for renters across the country.”