The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has told MPs that the Government's looming national property portal for landlords won’t diminish the need for selective licencing.

Giving evidence to the Renters Reform Public Bill Committee, the group welcomed proposals for a ban on no-fault evictions and the portal which is due to be introduced next year.

However, Dr Henry Dawson, a member of the CIEH housing advisory panel, said it would not remove the need for the government to make it easier for councils in England to use selective licensing schemes to improve housing conditions.

He highlighted the shortage of environmental health professionals to enforce housing standards in the PRS and the need for consistency in funding the profession. Dr Dawson also emphasised the role played by licensing in providing sustainable and predictable funding for enforcement.

Contradicts

This contradicts the view of MP Clive Betts who, speaking at the NRLA’s recent annual conference, said the mandatory register could stop the spread of borough-wide licensing schemes.

The chair of the committee that scrutinises the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ activities, Betts said it would probably mean that fewer requests to operate blanket licencing schemes would be submitted by local authorities.

Louise Hosking, CIEH executive director of environmental health, says: “We are delighted that one of our advisory panel members has had the opportunity to provide evidence to MPs on this crucial piece of primary legislation. This is a tangible example of how we are making the voice of the profession heard at national level.”  

Thirty-two schemes have been launched so far this year – matching 2022 – according to geospatial technology company Kamma, which predicted that England could see another 10 before the end of the year, or 31% higher than last year.