Supporters of council selective licensing start rearguard action 

Some of those involved in local councils have started a campaign to save selective licensing of private rental properties.

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health is first off the marks, claiming there are “threats” to the future of selective licensing.

Selective licensing schemes involve designated areas where privately rented properties have to be licensed with the local authority.

An amendment to the Renters Reform Bill tabled by Conservative backbenchers would remove the ability of councils to designate areas as subject to selective licensing.

This is because other provisions in the Bill effectively cover the same ground, and a BBC report says the government has promised to announce a review of selective licensing “with the explicit aim of reducing burdens on landlords”.

CIEH says that licensing provides the only means for local authorities proactively to inspect privately rented housing, removing the need for tenants to have complained.

CIEH executive director Louise Hosking says: “We are concerned by suggestions that the proposed Property Portal removes the need for selective licensing schemes. Licensing is a systematic and proactive approach to improving housing standards rather than just collection of information. 

“We believe that the government, far from watering down selective licensing, should be removing unnecessary barriers to local authorities using licensing schemes to improve housing standards.”