A new database will “name and shame” criminal landlords and letting agencies in a bid to protect renters in London.

The database, which was built in partnership with London Boroughs and will soon be available on the Mayor of London’s website, will provide the criminal record of any landlord who has been convicted of housing offences.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I refuse to stand by as thousands of Londoners suffer sky-high rents and horrendous living conditions in a city they call home.  

“Today I have seen first-hand the abysmal conditions that some of London’s private renters are forced to endure as a result of rogue landlords.

“I want to be clear that the vast majority of landlords treat renters well – but a minority are exploiting their tenants and it’s simply unacceptable. This must stop now.”

The ‘name and shame’ database will be developed in the coming months with information from six councils – Newham, Brent, Camden, Southwark, Kingston and Sutton – with other boroughs across London set to join following its public launch in the autumn.

Due to launch in Autumn, the database will allow councils to share information on landlord’s criminal history so renters can easily avoid dodgy dealings.