Wandsworth council in south London is considering a review into the feasibility of introducing discretionary landlord licencing.
A statement from the authority says private rental properties now constitute almost a third of all housing stock in the borough, but that standards vary widely.
“While most [landlords] are responsible and upstanding, there exists a rogue landlord element that deliver substandard, and sometimes overcrowded and dangerous dwellings which has a knock-on effect to the wider community in the form of anti-social behaviour, noise nuisance and other associated problems” says the statement.
In the report going to councillors - and urging the setting up of the review - it is claimed that some of the potential benefits of such a scheme could include improvement in the condition and quality of private rented properties, the prevention of absentee or unfit landlords, increased responsibility required of landlords in the management of behaviour of their tenants; and additional support for tenants.
A spokesperson says: “As a council, we have a commitment to all of our residents to ensure that they are in safe, secure and well-managed homes. That is why we are looking to increase support for tenants by recommending this review into discretionary licences in the private rented sector.”
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Lambeth Council did this last year, the result simply means that ALL landlord are now demanding, (and getting) higher rents across the board. A disaster for tenants.
Wandsworth will now probably do the same, and rents will increase because if they do this.
Rent controls, will drive more landlords out of the market so rents will increase. It's a disaster for tenants.
"it is claimed that some of the potential benefits of such a scheme could include improvement in the condition and quality of private rented properties, the prevention of absentee or unfit landlords, increased responsibility required of landlords in the management of behaviour of their tenants; and additional support for tenants."
Firstly is there any local authority that has taken more action against landlords after they have been licenced than they did before or is this just a revenue gathering exercise?
Secondly the increased responsibility of landlords managing their tenants behaviour sounds as if they want landlords to tell their tenants how to live. That is not our job. If they do not put their rubbish out or in the right bins, that is for the council to enforce. If they are noisy etc, again that is for the council and police to enforce. The laws already exist so it looks like a revenue collecting exercise to me.
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