Selective landlord licensing

Research by ARLA shows that only 12 out of 400 local authorities have used powers granted to them under the 2004 Housing Act to create selective licensing regimes for landlords. Phew!

Even better their research shows that only 15 landlords have been prosecuted for failing to comply with their licensing requirements. ARLA argue that this proves that local authorities are not the right bodies to enforce licensing and are calling for a national scheme to regulate the Private Rental Sector.

“We again urge the Government to re-examine Selective Licensing, and as a bare minimum, strengthen the obligations of local authorities and landlords to provide adequate protection for tenants in the Private Rented Sector.”

I would argue differently. To me this shows that it is not a great priority for local authorities or their electorate to license landlords. This low priority means that if any scheme were to be introduced would end up being poorly enforced.

The reality, it would be only the law abiding landlords who would follow the rules, register and thereby bear the costs. The bad or the dissenting landlords would seek to evade payment.

All this regulation would have little real impact on improving the standards in the rental sector, but would cost a hell of a lot.

Something at the moment, landlords, the country, tenants could all do without.