The House of Commons Select Committee on Communities and Local Government has launched an inquiry into whether councils have adequate powers to tackle ‘rogue landlords’. The inquiry is likely to focus on 5 key areas:
- reviewing and simplifying the legislation covering the sector;
- giving local authorities the tools they need to enforce the law and raise standards; better regulation of letting agents;
- a cultural shift towards longer tenancies; and
- a renewed effort to boost housing supply.
The ‘rogue landlords’ database (and agents) is not yet live. The Housing and Planning Act 2016 gives the Secretary of State the power to make regulations in this respect and no doubt the findings of this inquiry will influence any such regulation.
Realistically, it is unlikely that much can be done in the near future that requires a full Act of Parliament to be passed so most changes will be focused on things that can be altered within existing regulations and guidance.
Should anyone wish to respond to the inquiry the details on how to do so can be found here.
