The CIEH has welcomed the ban on no-fault evictions in the Renters (Reform) Bill, but has warned of increased regulation causing an “enforcement burden”
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has published written evidence on the Renters (Reform) Bill, welcoming some of the changes, as well as proposing some amendments.
Submitted to the House of Commons Renters (Reform) Public Bill Committee, the CIEH’s written evidence highlights the key areas the organisation will focus on during the Renters (Reform) Bill’s passage through parliament.
A key concerns was changes to selective licensing schemes
CIEH welcomed the proposals for a ban on no-fault evictions and a new Property Portal.
However, concerns were expressed about suggestions that the proposed Property Portal removes the need for selective licensing schemes.
Selective licensing schemes involve designated areas where privately rented properties have to be licensed with the local authority.
CIEH argues that licensing is a systematic and proactive approach to improving housing standards, rather than just collection of information, and is calling for the removal of unnecessary barriers to local authorities using licensing schemes to improve housing standards.
CIEH has also expressed concern about the large enforcement burden that the provisions of the Bill will impose on local authorities and the need for proportionate funding that is sustained and predictable.
Suggested Renter’s (Reform) Bill amendments include:
- Changes to wording in the Bill to ensure that the secretary of state was required-rather than simply permitted-to provide guidance for local authorities on the administration of financial penalties
- Allowing financial penalties to be increased on appeal
- increasing the maximum duration of discretionary licensing schemes to ten years
- removing the requirement to give 24 hours’ notice to landlords and tenants when property conditions are inspected under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
Louise Hosking, executive director of Environmental Health at the CIEH, said:
“This written evidence, which has been developed through our Housing Advisory Panel, will provide a really solid foundation for our further parliamentary activity around the Bill.
Following our oral evidence to the Public Bill Committee last month, we are determined to continue making the voice of environmental health professionals heard on this crucial piece of legislation.”
