The decision by Newham Council to license all private landlords could have wider implications and damage the UK private rental sector.
Other local authorities in the capital could be looking to adopt similar initiatives, says London’s oldest lettings agency, Edmund Cude.
The Newham scheme, which will cover 35,000 private tenancies in the borough, means that all local landlords will have to sign up or be fined up to £20,000.
Robert Nichols, director of Edmund Cude, said: “Let’s be clear – there are bad landlords across the capital, but they are a tiny proportion. Attempting to inspect 35,000 properties is a huge financial undertaking and Newham Council has bitten off more than it can chew.
“At this stage, our concern is that other councils – both in London and further afield – will look to embark on similar initiatives before the negative fallout of Newham’s licensing regulation becomes apparent.
“The initiative itself is deeply flawed. By imposing this ill-conceived regulation, Newham could lead to some landlords leaving the borough altogether, thus reducing available housing stock.
“All this comes at a time when the private rental sector plays an invaluable role in reducing the national housing deficit, and this extra level of bureaucracy will simply put off potential landlords.”
* In Wales, there will also be country-wide mandatory regulation of letting agents and private landlords.
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Comments
This has nothing to do with rogue landlords I'm afraid. As a former local Government officer I can assure you that what will happen is that there will be a campaign to "raise standards". Good landlords will be preferred because they comply so the officers involved look good. They meet their target of notices served and complied with. Difficult landlords are hard work; big notices, lots of preparation, big effort to enforce compliance, result; targets missed and lots of unpleasantness.
As for funding if parking controls can be profitable, why can't housing enforcement be equally productive?
What right have any of these councils to tell private landlords letting to private tenants what they have to do over and above national government legislation?
Just one more nail in the coffin of a generally free society.
Sadly I think you're right; it will come our way. The really sad part is that the rogue landlords, and to a degree the rogue agents, won't be affected.
They'll just carry on regardless in the same way as they do now, this will just be one more regulation they will ignore like gas safety's, deposit legislation etc
Scotland already has the state police in place in the form of the Landlord Registration Scheme & the Private Rented Housing Panel. I think there is a pilot ready to be rolled out in Wales. Look out England, it is coming your way.