Minister considers tougher rules for landlords who break the law

Denmark’s housing minister says municipalities may need stronger powers to act against landlords and homeowners who evade regulations, DR reports.

Jacob Mark of the Socialist People’s Party said he was open to tightening the rules after receiving a joint letter from Odense’s city and culture councillor, Lars Christian Lilleholt, and Nyborg Mayor Kenneth Muhs. The two municipalities want more tools to act against property owners who break the law.

The letter refers in part to contractor Thomas Lund Hansen, who has been involved in several controversial cases in Odense and Nyborg. In August, Odense Municipality reported him to the police, saying it believed he had operated a hostel illegally in central Odense.

Mark said he would meet with the two municipalities and acknowledged that they face problems. “There are greedy types who only look out for themselves and, excuse me, couldn’t care less about other people,” he told DR News. He said he was willing to discuss stronger rules with politicians if they were needed.

The minister said municipalities should have the rules necessary to ensure landlords and homeowners do not put other people’s lives or health at risk.

Lilleholt welcomed Mark’s response and said he expected the rules to be tightened so authorities could act against landlords who repeatedly break the law. Hansen declined to be interviewed by DR News.