Recommendation 31

We welcome the government’s decision to remove the need for local authorities to seek approval from the Secretary of State before establishing selective licensing schemes. The government needs to go further to remove further barriers that inhibit the uptake and effectiveness of selecting licensing. We recommend that the government should: • extend the maximum length of time for selective licensing schemes to 10 years. Within this period, councils should be required to periodically review their schemes to ensure they remain effective and proportionate. • allow councils to apply to selective licensing schemes regardless of whether the PRS makes up a significant proportion of local housing market or not. • enable local authorities to set licenses conditions that require landlords to make improvements to the physical state of licensed properties. (Recommendation, Paragraph 124) Impact on the supply and affordability of homes