MPs will today debate a bid to extend council landlord licensing periods from five years to 10 years.

It will happen at the latest committee stage of the government’s Renters Rights Bill in the Commons.

An amendment on licensing backed by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health would increase the maximum duration of discretionary licensing schemes from five to 10 years.

CIEH says that 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. It believes the changes proposed in the amendment would make it easier for councils to launch licensing schemes.

CIEH argues that increasing the maximum duration of discretionary licensing schemes, which include selective licensing schemes and additional licensing schemes for HMOs with less than five occupiers, would allow local authorities to advertise longer term posts and to include training of new staff in such schemes. 

CIEH wants to remove what it calls a “peculiar disconnect” in current legislation whereby local authorities can introduce selective licensing schemes but cannot include a directly enforceable requirement relating to housing condition as a condition of the licence itself.

Mark Elliott, president of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, says: “We have been working hard to highlight these issues and are delighted that they will now be discussed by a parliamentary committee.

“The government should grasp this opportunity to make it easier for local authorities to use licensing schemes to improve housing standards.

“We will continue to make the voice of environmental health professionals heard on licensing and other issues during the passage of the Bill through parliament.”