CIEH Urges Housing Secretary to Simplify Licensing for Councils

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has called on Housing Secretary Angela Rayner to streamline the process for councils to establish housing licensing regimes. The institute argues that licensing allows local authorities to inspect private rentals, enforce conditions, and address issues proactively, without waiting for tenant complaints.

CIEH has emphasized that the upcoming legislation on the private rented sector, expected to be unveiled in today’s King’s Speech, presents a prime opportunity to tackle this matter.

“There are several ways in which the Government could make it easier for local authorities to use licensing schemes to improve housing standards,” stated CIEH President Mark Elliott.

Elliott highlighted four key changes needed to empower local authorities:

1. Improvement of Housing Conditions: Local authorities should be allowed to use licence conditions to directly improve housing conditions under selective licensing schemes. The current legislation creates a disconnect by preventing enforceable housing condition requirements within these licences.
2. Extension of Licensing Duration: Increasing the maximum duration of discretionary licensing schemes from five to ten years would reduce the financial and administrative burden on councils. This change would facilitate long-term staffing and training initiatives for these schemes.
3. Removal of Veto Power: Eliminating the Secretary of State’s veto over selective licensing schemes covering more than 20% of a local authority area would reduce the uncertainty and complexity involved in implementing these schemes.
4. National Landlord Registration: Ensuring national landlord registration supports local licensing schemes would enhance the ability of councils to manage and enforce housing standards effectively.

“We hope that Angela Rayner and her team will work with us to address these points,” Elliott concluded.

The CIEH’s proposals aim to enhance housing conditions and streamline the enforcement process, ultimately benefiting both tenants and local authorities.