Recommendation 7

Lack of capacity constrains local authorities’ support to renters and use of enforcement powers. Many local authorities take a light touch or “fire-fighting” approach, as they do not have the capacity to protect tenants and ensure landlords comply with regulations.14 For example, tenancy relations officers provide valuable support to tenants experiencing illegal eviction or harassment, but very few local authorities can afford to have them.15 Only 10 landlords and letting agents have been banned by local authorities since new powers were introduced in 2016.16 Shelter reports that 80% of local authority officials said they did not have sufficient numbers of staff working on licensing and enforcement to ensure that the landlords in that area were compliant with their legal responsibilities.17 The Department does not know what basic level of resource is needed for local authorities to regulate their rental markets against legal standards.18 The Department’s support to local authorities