UK Considers National Registration Scheme Targeting Rogue Landlords
Pressure is growing on the government to introduce a registration scheme to help councils target rogue landlords renting out thousands of dangerous homes to families. A white paper spelling out the government’s plans for raising standards in the private rented sector, including a potential national landlord register that would bring England into line with the rest of the UK, is expected by the winter. New analysis of official figures by campaigning group Generation Rent shows English councils that require rental properties to be registered under local licensing schemes are more than twice as effective at removing the most serious hazards as authorities without any form of registration. The analysis reveals 32 English councils with selective licensing schemes identified an average of 158 unsafe homes each in 2019-20, compared with 63 on average across 200 councils without such schemes. Councils with licensing schemes also took more action to remove the dangers they uncovered, with on average 85% of hazardous homes made safe. Local authorities without schemes resolved only 65% of hazards, such as dangerous electrics, extreme cold and severe overcrowding. Generation Rent said registration would give enforcement authorities valuable intelligence about the sector, make it easier to inform tenants of their rights and prevent criminals from renting out homes. “Existing licensing schemes have a clear track record of helping councils to identify unsafe homes and bring them up to standard, but the vast majority of private renters are not protected by them,” said Alicia Kennedy, director of Generation Rent. A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: “We’re determined to create a fairer private rented sector and are exploring the introduction of a national landlord register as part of a commitment to drive up standards in rented accommodation.” Copeland borough council’s spokesperson said the figures in isolation were misleading. It said it had in all cases supported tenants to find fit-for-purpose accommodation. “Although it is reported that required improvements have not been completed by our authority directly, the appropriate response has been made in each case including issuing notices requiring landlords to carry out work, and rehousing [tenants].”
Tags : INTERNATIONAL Housing Landlords Government rental properties UK tenants National Registration Scheme Generation Rent English Councils