Landlord leaders have rejected a call from MPs for councils to be given more powers to crackdown on HMOs.

The NRLA says it “fundamentally rejects” the idea that it should be easier for local authorities to introduce selective HMO licensing schemes.

MPs on the House of Commons Housing Select Committee recommend in a new report that schemes should require landlords to make improvements and be in place for 10 years.

We fundamentally reject the idea that it should be easier for councils to introduce landlord licensing schemes.”

Ben Beadle, CEO at the NRLA (pictured) says: “We are pleased that the Committee has taken heed of several of the NRLA’s recommendations on enforcement, including the need to better understand council capacity, improve transparency around local enforcement activity, and ensure the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database helps responsible landlords to demonstrate compliance.

Fundamentally reject

“That said, we fundamentally reject the idea that it should be easier for councils to introduce landlord licensing schemes.”

He went on to say: “Licensing can be an effective tool when used sparingly and in a focused manner. Allowing local authorities carte blanche to apply it will serve only to duplicate the information councils will be able to obtain from a well-designed PRS Database.”

Removing barriers

The report from MPs on conditions in the PRS says: “It is right that local authorities can chose whether to introduce selective licensing schemes. However, we would like to see more local authorities making use of these powers. The Government can help by removing barriers that inhibit the uptake and effectiveness of these schemes.

“The Government needs to go further to remove further barriers that inhibit the uptake and effectiveness of selecting licensing.”

The report goes on to recommend that local authorities can “set licenses conditions that require landlords to make improvements to the physical state of licensed properties”.

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