AS a professional organisation representing private landlords, we in turn are outraged at the standards set by some members of the local community and certain owners of properties.

The total lack of thought by a few unthinking anti-social people should rightfully be universally condemned. Community spirit and the wish to work together are being destroyed.

There are several causes of the problems of litter in back yards. Perhaps we should ask where is this rubbish coming from first of all? In the main I would venture to suggest it is from people living in the area. People buying replacement furniture, replacing doors, repairing cars, throwing out toys ready for Christmas etc.

Perhaps residents should ask for skips to be left at various points!

I was in Burnley Wood the other day, it must have been the cleanest, tidiest ward for miles. All the derelict houses had magically been boarded up, almost overnight. Why couldn't it be like that in the rest of Burnley?

Fault can be found in all parts of the system. Not one single factor can be described as the cause.

The only positive investment in Burnley Wood in recent years has been from the private rented sector. This investment is now drying up.

Landlords' properties that have had a CPO order confirmed are on average losing £5,000 per time. I have the figures to prove it. On top of the losses on investment, the private landlords have lost many thousands of pounds in rents, caused by delays in sorting out and paying the reduced compensation, and also housing benefits, that are being allowed.

Tenants and owner-occupiers, who stay in the houses for the required time during the CPO process, receive additional compensation. The private landlord gets nothing for loss of rent or capital values.

Unlike housing associations, we are not cushioned from the effects of leaving properties empty. We have to be able to let to good quality tenants in order for the sector to continue in existence.

Have no doubt about it, the way the government is seeking to lay their inability to manage the housing sector at the door of the private rented sector will result in there not being anyone to lay the blame at. It will then become obvious that the real problems are elsewhere.

We agree, tenants must be vetted, an approved tenants register would assist matters immensely. Most local authorities and government simply don't want to know.

Some of the more enlightened authorities are working with the private sector towards this goal. The results will be far greater than trying to attack the private landlords and blame them for everything, as some do.

As Mr Davis says, we must all work together to sort out the problem areas, it is totally counter-productive to do anything else.

The Government has advised LAs to involve private landlords in all areas of housing, including regeneration and clearance, via such engines as East Lancashire Partnership, Affordable Warmth Strategy, good landlord and tenants schemes, approved landlords schemes, independent housing ombudsman, voluntary deposit schemes, reports to parliamentary committees.

The list goes on, all involving landlords' efforts and, of necessity, landlords associations with their codes of practice, guidance and educational qualification schemes.

JOHN SHARPE, Chief Executive, East Lancashire Landlords Association, Higher Reedley Road, Brierfield, Nelson.