Controversial Labour council extends landlord licensing regime

A Labour city council that has already called for powers to impose rent controls has now extended its existing landlord licensing scheme to three additional wards.

Bristol - whose Mayor made the call for rent controls earlier this year - has extended additional licensing to Brislington West, Bedminster and Horfield wards, and selective licensing to Brislington West and Bedminster only. 

The council claims this follows what it calls the “success” of earlier licensing schemes.

Councillor Tom Renhard, Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes, says: “We take the wellbeing of people renting properties across the city very seriously and we want everyone to feel confident that their home is safe and fit for habitation.

“Property licensing is one of a number of tools we are using to make sure all rented properties in the city are up to a certain standard.

“Living in a home that is in poor condition, or being badly managed, can have a significant negative impact on the health and wellbeing of tenants.

“Although most private landlords provide a good standard of accommodation and service to their tenants, many do not. Some houses are in poor condition and poorly managed, with a significant number let to vulnerable tenants who are unaware of their rights or are not aware of the minimum standards of accommodation their landlord should provide.

“We are clear that the small minority of rogue landlords and property agents who knowingly flout their legal obligations, rent out accommodation which is substandard and harass their tenants, should be prevented from managing or letting housing.

“We will continue to lead the way in doing what we can to protect and empower people living in privately rented housing, including having a strong voice nationally to hold government to account on the long-delayed renters reform bill.

“We would encourage all landlords to apply for the relevant licenses and to work with us to help protect vulnerable tenants and make people across the city more comfortable in their homes.”

The council has also taken another step to help protect renters in the city, making it easier to add rogue landlords to a national database.

The Labour-dominated council recently voted to approve a new policy that will allow it to add landlords into the government’s Rogue Landlord database when a banning order has been issued against the landlord, and decide how long they should be on the database for. The length of a ban can range from two years up to an indefinite or lifetime ban.

Landlords have until July 5 to submit their applications and pay their fee. A licence will normally last for five years and conditions will be attached to the licence to ensure that minimum property standards are met and that good management practice is delivered.

Advice and guidance on the necessary improvements required to ensure the property complies with licensing conditions is also offered. All licensed properties are inspected to ensure they meet licensing and minimum housing standards.  Where landlords do not meet the required condition standards, enforcement action may follow.

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