Professional body pushes for licensing schemes to be doubled to improve housing conditions

Professional body pushes for licensing schemes to be doubled to improve housing conditions

0:01 AM, 6th November 2024, About 2 hours ago

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Selective licensing schemes should DOUBLE from five to ten years, says professional body.

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) supports an amendment by Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party, in the Renters’ Rights Bill to double the duration of licensing schemes, which she claims “will help local authorities improve housing conditions”.

This is despite selective licensing schemes costing landlords hundreds of pounds and the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government saying licensing schemes should only be used as a “last resort”.

Resolve problems without the need for tenants to complain

The CIEH says: “Licensing provides a means for local authorities to inspect privately rented housing using enforceable conditions – and to identify and resolve problems – without the need for tenants to have complained.”

It believes the changes proposed in the amendment would remove unnecessary barriers to the use of licensing schemes to improve housing standards.

A previous Property118 article explains how councils have more power than the police to inspect properties and even force entry.

Use licensing schemes to improve housing standards

The CIEH argues that increasing the maximum duration of discretionary licensing schemes, including selective licensing and additional licensing for smaller HMOs, would allow local authorities to advertise longer-term posts and provide training for new staff.

The CIEH also wants to remove a “peculiar disconnect” in current law that allows local authorities to introduce selective licensing to address poor housing conditions but prevents them from enforcing housing standards as a licence condition.

Mark Elliott, President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said: “We have been working hard to highlight these issues and are delighted that they will now be discussed by a parliamentary committee.

“The government should grasp this opportunity to make it easier for local authorities to use licensing schemes to improve housing standards.

“We will continue to make the voice of environmental health professionals heard on licensing and other issues during the passage of the Bill through parliament.”


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