The review and its recommendations
The review supports the recommendation that selective licensing should be implemented and states that the research undertaken indicates that the effectiveness of selective licensing could be improved through the implementation of 13 further recommendations which includes:
- To consider amending the mandatory licence conditions with which a landlord must comply to include a standard requirement on property condition that covers the absence of serious hazards.
- Consider issuing best practice/guidance as appropriate to support local authorities and improve the implementation of schemes.
- Explore options for a “light touch” process for authorities seeking to re-designate an area at the end of a period of licensing.
- Consider introducing a national registration scheme for landlords to support and complement selective licensing
- Consider allowing local authorities to streamline the licence application process for landlords by allowing local authorities to include on the application form only those questions that they consider relevant to their specific scheme.
A full list of recommendations can be found on pages 11 to 13 of the Independent Review of the Use and Effectiveness of Selective Licensing document.
This proposal would represent a U-turn since a parliamentary question was answered by now Housing Minister Heather Wheeler in February 2018, where she said:
'The Government does not support a mandatory register of private landlords. The majority of landlords provide decent and well managed accommodation and requiring those landlords to sign up to a national register would introduce an unnecessary and costly additional layer of bureaucracy.'
It’s disappointing that the long-awaited review on Selective Licensing recommends the continuation of the schemes. Licensing schemes do not work, and never will do. They are not an effective way of promoting higher quality accommodation and introducing landlord registration will not be the silver bullet to improve the effectiveness of property licensing. Local authorities need investment to enforce the wide range of legislation that already exists.
For years we have called for an alternative to licensing. The Government should instead take this as an opportunity to introduce a Property MOT, which would cover all elements of property condition, energy efficiency and other legal requirements.
Visit our policy page to see our views and concerns
Landlord Licensing
We do not believe that selective licensing schemes are an effective way of promoting higher quality accommodation. Find out why we believe this and why a collaborative approach is needed.
Fact sheets for ARLA Propertymark members
Fact sheet: Selective Licensing (England)
The Housing Act 2004 allows local authorities to apply for Selective Licensing of privately rented properties in areas which are experiencing low housing demand and/or suffering from anti-social behaviour.
Fact sheet: Selective Licensing (Wales)
The Housing Act 2004 allows local authorities in England and Wales to apply for Selective Licensing of privately rented properties in areas which are experiencing low housing demand and/or suffering from anti-social behaviour.
