A LOUT'S anti-social antics in a private rented house could see a landlord punished for his behaviour - even if neither of them lives there.

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has raised concerns about a draconian clause in the Government's proposed Housing Bill, which could see them penalised for events they have no control over.

A proposed clause states one condition of a landlord's licence should force them to reduce unruly behaviour by people living in or visiting private rented homes. But, unlike local authorities and social housing bodies, private landlords have no powers to enforce limits on tenants' behaviour in the form of Anti Social Behaviour Orders. This has led to fears that the new clause, if supported, could see landlords caught in a Catch 22 situation. The bill could see landlords punished for the behaviour of someone who is not even a tenant, without having any powers of redress. It has led to a sustained campaign by the RLA in the House of Lords before peers consider the bill again.

The RLA has also been critical of other elements of the bill, which are seen as carrying a burden of costly bureaucracy that could damage the private rented sector.

The organisation is working with Conservatives Lord Hanningfield and Lady Hanham and the Lib Dem Lady Maddock to ensure its concerns are heard.

RLA Director Mark Butterworth said: "We welcome any suggestion that seeks to curb the behaviour of tenants, but there's a lot of concern about these suggestions. These proposals put the onus firmly on landlords, without giving us any powers to enforce behaviour in the way that councils and housing bodies can. "Instead, they carry the threat of landlords having licences refused or withdrawn if we fail to address unruly behaviour.

"Meanwhile, other tenants who are genuinely affected by anti social behaviour continue to live in misery.

"How is that workable? It's barmy. We should have the same rights as those landlords in the public sector. We hope someone sees sense."