I have supported a Bill from my colleague Phil Wilson MP that would require all private landlords in England to be registered with the local council.

This would help local authorities make sure landlords are properly looking after their tenants and keeping their properties in a good condition; allow councils to find the owners of homes that have been empty for a long time; and save valuable police time by allowing officers to locate and contact a landlord when a crime has been committed.

The Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police, Simon Cole, has also said a register of private landlords would help local police.