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

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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