2^nd Apr 2018

There is widespread criticism of the government's new database of rogue landlords as being a wasted opportunity because it will not be made available to the general public.

On Friday 6th April the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will introduce a database of landlords who are known to be "serious and prolific offenders" and successfully prosecuted for breaking the law on letting'... and this is just one part of the government's plan attempting to forcibly improve the private-rented sector, in their view.

However David Cox, chief executive of an estate agent's organisation, said: "When this legislation was first announced, we were wildly supportive – anything which will help eradicate bad letting agents and landlords has our full support.

"However, the outcome is disappointing. The database won’t be public, which means no one will be able to see it and therefore letting agents and landlords who are on the list can continue operating with impunity.

"This appears to be a pointless exercise; if the list was made public – like the equivalent for estate agents – rogue agents and landlords would leave the market for good."

As from Friday 6th April the new regulations and database come into force and landlords and agents who have various convictions that include, blackmail, burglary, handling stolen goods, harassment and stalking will be banned from the private rented sector.

Any landlord that intends to rent a property out to five or more tenants in two or more separate households will have to apply for a licence in England.

During last year landlords were subject to fines as much as £30,000 if found to be letting out properties that were unfit for human habitation and unsafe.

The government will be introducing minimum space requirements with rooms being no smaller than 6.51 sq meters for one sleeping adult and for two the minimum will be 10.22 sq. metres.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has so far not commented.

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