Wandsworth Council has rejected plans to introduce a controversial landlord licensing scheme, much to the delight of the Residential Landlords Association, who were vehemently opposed.
Fewer Complaints about the PRS
The council says there has been a notable reduction in complaints about homes in the private rental sector and most tenants are more than happy with the service received from landlords. As a result, they cannot justify the introduction of a landlord licensing scheme. Instead, they have come up with a ten-point plan to deal with the issue of rogue landlords. These plans will make use of existing legislation designed to help regulate the private rental sector.
Council Action List
Wandsworth Council’s ‘Action list’ includes prioritising housing enforcement in the areas where there are the highest number of issues, refocussing resources on high priority complaints, and setting up targeted action days in the borough.
The RLA is pleased to see the council looking at alternative ways to tackle problems within the private rental sector.
“It is really good to see a council considering a range of options around landlord regulation rather than defaulting to licensing,” says David Smith from the RLA.
“The Housing Act 2004 offers a range of flexible powers to Councils and this range will shortly be widened with changes in the Housing and Planning Act. Local Housing Authorities should take a risk-based approach and focus their powers on directly addressing the real problems in the Private Rented Sector. It is good to see that Wandsworth has done this.”
