Would a register of private city landlords be a good idea? That’s what Brighton and Hove City Council is asking in its new housing survey.
The idea has been praised by Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas who says that if linked to a mandatory licensing scheme, it would raise living standards for tenants across the city.
Writing on her blog, she said: “This is based on the experience of hearing time and again from constituents about the poor state of their rented housing: the families with children whose bedrooms have mould on the walls; the students who find paint peeling to reveal damp within a few months of moving in; the tenants who come to me after their landlord has refused to carry out repairs.
“A register of landlords, linked to a mandatory licensing scheme, would introduce standards and improve quality, highlighting the many responsible landlords and pulling up the standards of those whose currently poor practice gives private sector renting a bad name.”
But Brighton estate agent Paul Bonett has a more cautious view. He said: “A register of local private sector landlords would help tenants to know these landlords and their properties have been benchmarked.
“However, it is a complicated area. There are no typical PSLs: they can range from the very experienced long term professional landlord to the one off landlord renting a property because he or she cannot sell it.
“There are masses of small scale players in the rental business. So, managing such a scheme would be very complex.
“It should not be made compulsory without full 360 degree consultation and without the staff in place to ensure it does not cause blockages in the rental market when there is high demand.”
Now it’s over to you – click here to have your say.
The survey asks a range of questions on housing issues such as affordable housing, HMO licensing, empty homes and student housing.
But it is the private rental question which floats the idea of a specific strategy.
As background, the survey says: “There is a growing private rented sector in the city with 30% of households living in a home that is privately rented.
“This percentage rises to nearly 60% in some areas of the city and we are aware that some of the most vulnerable households can be living in this tenure.
“Private Sector Housing Team work to improve housing conditions in private rented and owner occupied homes through renewal advice, assistance and enforcement; improving Home Energy Efficiency, improving thermal comfort and reducing fuel poverty and CO2 emissions through home energy efficiency measures.
“In 2011, government funding for private sector renewal ceased but the Team has been able to continue the private sector renewal work at a reduced capacity through the council funding its own programme.
“Since 2009/10 a total of £9,018,000 has been invested in the private sector enabling nearly 4,500 homes to be made decent or moved towards decency.”
