The government could fall foul of its own rules on unsafe housing as firms seek millions in payouts for council tenants.
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, which came into full force in March last year, legally obliges landlords to ensure that their properties are safe, healthy and free from hazards.
But official figures show that the number of council homes in England classified as “non-decent” jumped by 8% to 480,000 in the year to last March.
The total bill plus damages could exceed £2.6bn.
