24^th Jul 2019

The CIEH (Chartered Institute of Environmental Health) has urged for a cross party agreement and commitment to a national landlord registration scheme for England; similar to the legislative PRS schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The CIEH Housing Policy Spokesperson, Tamara Sandoul, said “This new national landlord register is absolutely necessary if we are going to properly get a grip on poor housing conditions in the private rented sector."

"CIEH has been analysing the schemes already operating in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and believe the time is right for England to follow suit."

The Institute's campaign follows the Government's review into selective licensing schemes that recommended a national landlord registration scheme for England.

On July 10th the CIEH wrote to all of the leadership contenders in the Liberal Democrats and Tory parties, as well as Jeremy Corbyn and Caroline Lucas MP. In the letters it urged the addressees to agree and commit to a new register that could help improve overall housing conditions.

The CIEH believes a new landlord register that runs side by side with the rogue and letting agents' database that also includes banning orders, will help all local authorities to stop those who are banned from operating in other areas.

Sandal continued: “A national register would aid the identification of criminal landlords who operate across different areas and prevent them from managing any properties going forward.

Tenants would also be able to check whether the property they are planning to rent is registered, thus helping tenants to make a better decision when choosing a property to rent.

“The Government’s own commissioned review into selective licensing schemes, published last month, included a recommendation for a new register, and cited widespread support across local authorities and tenant groups.

"We want to see all UK-wide political parties commit to implementing this register and shining a light on poor housing in England."

CIH (Chartered Institute of Housing) is also backing the campaign and its Head of Policy, Melanie Rees, wants the register to be just one part of many measures for reforming the private rented sector.

She said: “A register would give local authorities valuable data to inform their decisions on housing provision, and knowing where most of the privately rented homes are would free up council enforcement officers to concentrate on those rogue landlords who hadn’t registered.

"With 20% of our population living in the PRS, we need to give councils the tools they need to make sure that everyone has a good quality place to call home.”



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