‘Now do you understand our pain?’ leading landlord ask Chancellor
Eastern Landlords Association chair says for too long Whitehall has not realised the minefield that property licensing presents for some BTL operators.
The boss of a leading group of regional landlords has slammed Rachel Reeves’ failure to licence her Dulwich rental property, saying the scandal is a ‘perfect example’ of the challenges that many landlords face from HMO and selective licensing schemes.
The Eastern Landlords Association says Reeves’ licensing failures raise what should be “serious concerns about the way landlords can easily be caught out, its chair Paul Cunningham says.
“This case highlights the chaotic and complex regulatory landscape that landlords must navigate daily,” he adds.
This case highlights the chaotic and complex regulatory landscape that landlords must navigate daily.”
“If a senior policymaker -who actively campaigned for selective licensing in Leeds – is unable to comply with the very laws she promoted due to lack of knowledge, it raises serious concerns about the clarity and fairness of the system.”
Cunningham (main image, inset) adds that penalties for non-compliance, which can include both civil and criminal fines, must be applied consistently across the board. Alternatively, the enforcement framework must be reviewed to ensure it is proportionate and equitable for all landlords.
The ELA is calling for a more informed and balanced public discourse around landlord responsibilities and urges policymakers to engage meaningfully with the sector to ensure legislation is both effective and practicable.
The Chancellor’s local council, Southwark, confirmed yesterday afternoon that it would not be taking action against her because it did not prosecute landlords who submit selective licensing applications within 21 days of realising a property was non-compliant.
Council comment
“Enforcement action such as fines are reserved for those who do not apply within that time or where a property is found to be in an unsafe condition,” it said. “We cannot comment on individual cases.”
Reeves, however, could face a Rent Repayment Order if her current tenants were to realise that they had been living in an unlicensed property during the first months of their tenancy.
