Landlords and letting agents should face harsher and longer property licensing schemes, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has revealed.

Its President Mark Elliottt (main image) says it is seeking two amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill. The first amendment would enable local authorities operating selective licensing schemes to use licence conditions to improve housing conditions.

Licensing disconnect

Elliott has highlighted a “peculiar disconnect” in current legislation whereby local authorities can introduce selective licensing schemes to address poor housing conditions but cannot include in the licence itself conditions requiring the physical state of the licensed property to be improved.

The second amendment would increase the maximum duration of discretionary licensing schemes, which include selective licensing schemes and additional licensing schemes for houses in multiple occupation with less than five occupiers, from five to ten years.

CIEH argues that this would allow local authorities to advertise longer-term posts and to include training of new staff in these schemes.

The amendments are being backed by the Renters’ Reform Coalition, which comprises 21 organisations and includes major housing and homelessness charities.

Our amendments would make it easier for local authorities to use licensing schemes to improve housing standards.”

Elliott said: “Licensing provides a means for local authorities to inspect privately rented housing using enforceable conditions – and to identify and resolve problems – without the need for tenants to have complained.

“Our amendments would make it easier for local authorities to use licensing schemes to improve housing standards. We are delighted to have obtained support for them from politicians from different political backgrounds.

“These are sensible and constructive amendments and we urge the Government to accept them.”

Read more about selective licensing.