Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 89
If the decent homes standard is to improve standards in the private rented sector, local...
Recommendation
If the decent homes standard is to improve standards in the private rented sector, local authorities will have to enforce it vigorously, but at the moment levels of housing enforcement activity vary hugely between local authorities. We accept that much enforcement activity is, and should remain, informal, especially, at least initially, where landlords are non-compliant out of ignorance, but if the proposals are to deter the very worst landlords, enforcement rates will have to improve significantly across the vast majority of local authorities. For this reason, we welcome the proposals to improve enforcement, particularly the property portal, which could be revolutionary, provided it is designed and implemented properly and holds the right information. To this end, the Government should include the following in the information landlords are required to enter on the property portal: all gas and electrical safety certificates and reports; any other reports generated by tradespeople; energy performance data; and details of ombudsman membership and membership of a deposit protection scheme. Furthermore, the Government should take action now to digitise the certificates and other reports that are to be uploaded to the portal, so that rather than being a mere repository of information that has to be trawled through, a coding system can be implemented to enable the portal to verify that documentation is in date and that there are no issues that need addressing. To deter landlords from entering false or misleading information, the 60 Reforming the Private Rented Sector Government should also introduce financial penalties for such offences. This would be consistent with its proposal for deterring landlords from self-declaring inaccurate information regarding compliance with the decent homes standard. Finally, we urge the Government to incorporate the functions of the database of rogue landlords and property agents into the portal as soon as possible.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees a strong enforcement regime is vital and is committed to ensuring local councils have the powers and resources they need to tackle criminal landlords. The Levelling Up, Housing and Regeneration Bill includes measures to set minimum standards for enforcement, which they will consult on.
Paragraph Reference:
89
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We fully agree that a strong and effective enforcement regime is vital to ensure the reforms deliver on their ambitions and that tenants get safe and secure homes. We are committed to ensuring that local councils have the powers and resources they need to tackle criminal landlords, driving up standards across the sector. It is through strong enforcement and increased fines that we can protect tenants and ensure landlords meet their legal obligations. We will also continue to work to drive up standards and professionalism amongst landlords. The government recognises that there are currently inconsistencies in how local authorities undertake enforcement activity and we are committed to addressing these. A report by the Centre for Public Innovation in 2021 found significant variation across councils in their approach to tackling poor property conditions and illegal eviction, along with a lack of data sharing and skills.2 The Levelling Up, Housing and Regeneration Bill includes measures that will allow the government to set minimum standards for enforcement. We will consult on these standards, which will give tenants more confidence that councils will act where landlords fail to meet their obligations, helping to address the inconsistency in approaches. This means we can level up enforcement of housing standards, wherever people live.