Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) boss Mark Elliott (pictured) has welcomed the Renters’ Rights Bill but warned that unless local councils are properly funded, it won’t be enforced adquately or at all.

In a report to the House of Commons, he suggests that some of that money could come from fees for the private rented sector database and ombudsman scheme.

Unnecessary barriers

He also asserts that it is the perfect opportunity to remove any unnecessary barriers to local authorities using licensing schemes to improve housing standards.

He says there is a “peculiar disconnect” in the Housing Act 2004 licensing legislation whereby local authorities can introduce selective licensing schemes to address poor housing conditions but cannot include a directly enforceable requirement relating to housing conditions as a condition of the licence itself.

Support enforcement

In the report, Elliott goes on to welcome the proposed private rented sector database which he believes can be used as a tool to support the use of tailored enforcement approaches by local authorities.

He also welcomes, in broad terms, the proposed application of a Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector within the Renters’ Rights Bill but believes that the various housing standards need to be consolidated to provide clarity for landlords, tenants and local authorities.

The CIEH is a UK-based, registered charity and membership association that works to improve health and wellbeing through environmental health.