Binning selective licensing will leave tenants at the ‘mercy of unscrupulous landlords’

Binning selective licensing will leave tenants at the ‘mercy of unscrupulous landlords’

0:05 AM, 26th March 2024, About a month ago 19

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A charity is warning that a proposal under the Renters (Reform) Bill to introduce a property portal which could replace selective licensing will leave tenants at the ‘mercy of unscrupulous landlords’.

Safer Renting believes that selective licensing shouldn’t be binned but the government should strengthen it with better enforcement and inspection.

In a report based on research carried out in Camden, Ealing, Enfield, Waltham Forest and Westminster, the charity warns that nearly all private rented properties were ‘non-compliant’ under licensing rules.

And having a property portal will mean councils won’t know about property conditions in their areas.

‘Landlord non-compliance is the norm’

In the report, the charity says: “This study tells us Selective Licensing needs strengthening with enhanced programmes of inspection and enforcement. This report adds to the government’s own data, showing that even where licensing is in place, landlord non-compliance is the norm.

“The report recommends improving enforcement powers with measures such as annual property inspections and continuing schemes until there is evidence it is no longer required.

Abolishing selective licensing risks undermining the entire stated purpose of the Renters (Reform) Bill: improved security of tenure for renters isn’t really worth having if the homes they have the right to stay in aren’t fit for human habitation.”

The charity says that introducing a landlord register as part of the property portal will not tackle poor property conditions – unless there is an inspection regime to enforce the rules.

Boroughs were shocked when they set up their licensing schemes

The report goes on to say that all five boroughs were shocked when they set up their licensing schemes about the ‘high degree of non-compliance’.

It says that environmental health officers found issues ‘in nine out of 10’ properties that had been licensed.

Apparently, one borough reported that 95% of properties that had applied for a licence had not complied with its conditions.

Many of the rented homes that failed had ‘Category 1’ hazards – the most serious risk to health.

Also, many of the rented homes needed several inspections before they reached the required standards, the report claims.


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Comments

Cider Drinker

8:45 AM, 26th March 2024, About a month ago

We must accept that some properties in the PRS are not fit for purpose. Just as some homes in the social sector are not fit for purpose and some homes in the owner-occupier sector are not fit for purpose.
Increasing costs for landlords leads to higher rents and less money for landlords to spend on essential repairs.
However, I don’t think the high percentages are likely to reflect the condition of properties nationwide. The figures may tell us as much about the tenants than the landlords.

Reluctant Landlord

8:56 AM, 26th March 2024, About a month ago

1. ‘non-compliant’ under licensing rules.
Does not mean non compliant under national legislation.

2 "The report goes on to say that all five boroughs were shocked when they set up their licensing schemes about the ‘high degree of non-compliance’.

So that means the number of LL not licencing their properties then? If so prosecute them for not having a licence then!

3. It says that environmental health officers found issues ‘in nine out of 10’ properties that had been licensed.
What 'issues' exactly? Define.
How many non licenced properties did they visit?

4 Apparently, one borough reported that 95% of properties that had applied for a licence had not complied with its conditions.
What were the conditions exactly and what were the 'failures'

No mention of the actual number of properties visited.

Freda Blogs

10:36 AM, 26th March 2024, About a month ago

This article and alleged statistics are great fodder for the press, Shelter, Generation Rant et al, and will doubtless be used to further vilify Landlords.
However I don't believe for one minute that the problems quoted are representative of the whole PRS in the areas quoted, and surmise the underlying data may be suspect, incomplete or selectively reported. Like Reluctant Landlord, I question the basis of the report.

Bobby Ridgewell

12:56 PM, 26th March 2024, About a month ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 26/03/2024 - 08:45Good gracious. Can't believe what I just read. Having been both a tenant and a landlord, I tend to side with the tenant. I made a good profit from renting out at a fair rent. I also happily had good tenants.
I found if I looked after the property and kept it to a decent living standard , my tenants respected the property.
Sadly I think as one can see from this site, many people be some landlords as an easy lazy way to make a living and somehow they don't seem to think it's their place to keep a property safe and up to standard.
It should be made known to future landlords that they do have to input. Snd can't expect people to live in conditions they would not, plus they need to invest. We all know why we become landlords .

Paul Essex

15:13 PM, 26th March 2024, About a month ago

Yet another charity I have never heard of. If all of these charities were banned and the money wasted on them was used to build new homes we would be in a better place.

Cider Drinker

15:55 PM, 26th March 2024, About a month ago

Reply to the comment left by Bobby Ridgewell at 26/03/2024 - 12:56
Not sure what you just read that can’t believe.

Luke P

16:04 PM, 26th March 2024, About a month ago

Much of the 'non-compliance' is just not having a (pointless) licence itself and not, as many would have you believe, a huge number of landlords flouting the 'national standard' rules.

Bobby Ridgewell

16:31 PM, 26th March 2024, About a month ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 26/03/2024 - 15:55
That you are blaming it on tenants .

Bobby Ridgewell

16:32 PM, 26th March 2024, About a month ago

Reply to the comment left by Bobby Ridgewell at 26/03/2024 - 16:31
That you are blaming tenants

robert fisher

16:51 PM, 26th March 2024, About a month ago

What a load of old tosh ! The only landlords excluded form selective licencing are the council and housing associations. why is that you should ask ? if i was at all cynical maybe its because they are the biggest rogue landlords in the entire country. The councils already have powers to inspect properties . It is the council owned properties that have the majority of uninhabitable , poor condition houses, that's why they exclude themselves from their SL schemes.

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