Call to replace selective license schemes with a Jersey-style model

Call to replace selective license schemes with a Jersey-style model

0:02 AM, 8th August 2024, About 4 months ago 8

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Landlord Licensing and Defence chief Phil Turtle is urging the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) to back his proposal for a Jersey-style property licensing model.

He believes this could revolutionise the private rented sector (PRS), providing a more efficient and cost-effective way to regulate landlords while potentially eliminating the need for selective licensing schemes.

Under the Jersey model, landlords would pay a modest £60 fee every two years for a licence, during which time their compliance with regulations would be verified.

This contrasts sharply, he says, with the exorbitant fees charged for selective licensing by many councils.

Licensing system is plagued by issues

Mr Turtle says the current selective licensing system is plagued by issues, including inconsistent inspections, excessive fines for minor breaches and councils overstepping their authority.

He points to the Housing Ombudsman’s reports highlighting the poor condition of council-owned properties as further evidence of council failings.

Mr Turtle said: “A database that records all legally required documentation makes it harder for criminal landlords to operate, eliminating the need for selective licensing.

“Most landlord properties are not inspected under the current scheme, and landlords face hefty fines for minor issues.

“Councils often overstep their authority, enforcing their own rules rather than the law.

“Reports from the Housing Ombudsman show that councils do not regularly inspect or care for their own properties.”

Issues affecting landlords

Mr Turtle was responding to news that the NRLA is speaking with the housing minister Matthew Pennycook about a range of issues affecting landlords – including a new database.

The landlords’ organisation believes a database would ‘create transparency of property safety and drive rogue landlords from the sector’.

Now Mr Turtle says that the NRLA should urge the Labour government to bring in a database and adopt the Jersey model as part of its proposed Renters’ Rights Bill.

‘Scheme offers better value’

He said: “Jersey’s scheme offers better value, checking documents every two years, which benefits tenants.

“The scheme applies to every rental property without any unnecessary complications.

“In contrast, selective licensing fees in England are exorbitant, for example, in Reading a license costs £1,000, Newport £730, Lambeth £923, Haringey £642 and Ealing £750.

“Jersey manages to cover every property on the island for just £60, with document checks every two years instead of five. What are councils in England doing charging so much?”


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Cider Drinker

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8:37 AM, 8th August 2024, About 4 months ago

Where would the Councils get the rest of the money that they are currently taking from landlords (or rather, their tenants) if this alternative scam was introduced?

The alternative scam is credible but, it’s not about data or improving areas. It’s all about raising funds to bolster Council spending. The whole system needs reform.

Reluctant Landlord

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9:01 AM, 8th August 2024, About 4 months ago

government wont like this - that means they would have to fund councils more themselves.

Why bother if you just let councils screw over the PRS directly? Get's the councils off your back asking for money and brush off all responsibility in the process...

Isn't that REALLY why SL came in?

David

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10:31 AM, 8th August 2024, About 4 months ago

Whatever, its more unnecessary bureaucracy and taxes for someone just letting a property.We are mainly not "landlords" but just leaseholders and many are not even businesses but we are demonised and taxed as if we are.
What percentage of so called landlords are rogue or is this just another made up government figure and if they actually do know how many why don't they target them directly.

Dylan Morris

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11:27 AM, 8th August 2024, About 4 months ago

I wouldn’t worry too much about uploading your gas certificate and EICR to a landlord portal. Just wait until 2026 when Making Tax Digital is in place and you have to file your tax return every 3 months.

LaLo

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12:11 PM, 8th August 2024, About 4 months ago

May as well become a ‘rogue LL’ and save a load of cash as we’re all branded that way anyway and suffer the same rule’s and reg’s!

NewYorkie

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14:55 PM, 8th August 2024, About 4 months ago

Rogue landlords don't bother with SL, or anything else for that matter.

Councils know who they are, but won't inspect them because they house a significant number who would otherwise need social housing.

Priten Patel

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23:31 PM, 10th August 2024, About 4 months ago

I just don’t get what the difference is of a local, council level licensing scheme vs a national landlord property portal (via the RRB)? One and the same, but double the cost

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14:59 PM, 11th August 2024, About 4 months ago

Obfuscated Data

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