There is possibly hope that council’s licensing scheme fees for landlords could be cut as a review will be carried out by the government.

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In the latest reading of the Renters Reform Bill last week in the House of Commons it confirmed the government will be holding a review of council’s PRS licensing schemes to ensure there will not be any duplication of regulations with the government’s property portal once the Bill is passed into law.

Prior to the weekend housing minister Jacob Young told landlords via a webinar that the review may in theory suggest that council’s schemes could be slimmed down and reducing fees.

The sector’s associations have constantly argued about the proposed plans to introduce the portal on which landlords will have to register properties and upload documented proof that they meet required standards, which in effect duplicates council licensing intentions.

But the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health is at odds with the belief that the Renters Bill could in fact lessen or scrap council’s licensing schemes and states licensing is not in any way an extra level of officialdom.

Louise Hosking CIEH executive director says: “We strongly disagree with suggestions that the proposed Property Portal removes the need for selective licensing schemes.

“Licensing provides a means for local authorities to inspect privately rented housing using enforceable conditions and to identify and resolve problems without the need for tenants to have complained.