Private landlords face tougher controls

Under proposals published yesterday, councils are to be given the power to set up licensing schemes for private landlords in areas where there are lots of substandard properties.

A Communities and Local Government department consultation suggests introducing a general consent to allow councils to introduce licensing schemes without seeking permission from central government.

Housing minister John Healey also announced that landlords will need to apply for planning permission to change a dwelling so it is classified as a house in multiple occupation. This will be defined as having three or more tenants who are not related.

The minister said he will bring forward legislation to make the change from April this year.

A government consultation found 94 per cent of respondents said HMOs have had negative impacts on their neighbourhoods, including anti-social behaviour, litter, noise, and problems with parking.

Mr Healey also said ‘detailed work’ was taking place on a new national landlords register.

He said: ‘Everyone deserves a decent and safe place to live and these measures aim to improve standards of the private rented sector at a time when more people look to rent as their first option in the housing market.’

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