The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has hailed a “major victory” with the government making it easier for councils to set up landlord licensing schemes.
A government announcement – slipped into the English Devolution White Paper – means that councils will no longer be required to seek approval from Housing Secretary Angela Rayner for larger selective licensing schemes.
The change comes into effect on Monday, sweeping away the current system where councils are required to seek approval from the Secretary of State for selective licensing schemes covering more than 20% of the local authority area.
A new general approval for selective licensing will come into force on December 23 and will enable local housing authorities to introduce schemes of any size without seeking approval from government.
Mark Elliott, President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, says: “We have repeatedly called for this specific change, for example in a letter to the Secretary of State in July. It will make a significant difference to the ability of local authorities to tackle poor housing conditions.
“The introduction of selective licensing schemes involves considerable uncertainty when the schemes are subject to the Secretary of State’s ability to veto them.
“We are delighted that the Government has now addressed this important issue.”
This article is taken from Landlord Today