Property licensing system needs big overhaul says leading landlord

A high-profile landlord has called the property licensing system ‘clunky’ and in need of simplification during an interview on national TV.

Richard Blanco, who is an HMO landlord but also one of the NRLA’s key representatives, told the BBC Breakfast show just after a critical report it broadcast highlighting some of the local communities campaigning against more HMOs, that “it can cost £2,000 to get a licence – there’s an emphasis on a different licence for those who are unrelated [HMOs] and that takes away the flexibility of providing housing because you might have a family one year, and then unrelated sharers the next.

“So you’d have to change your licence and pay another £2,000 in that situation.

“We need a more flexible system"

“We need a more flexible system and we need more local authorities to take more enforcement action – currently 20 of the nation’s 295 authorities carry out half of all enforcement action [against bad landlords].

“A lot of local authorities are stretched financially and charging higher licensing fees and this is annoying many landlords because it's very unfair.”

Blanco’s comments follow LandlordZONE’s exclusive story yesterday that 2025 is shaping up to be a record year for new licensing schemes in England and Wales.

Geospatial technology company Kamma told us that so far, 26 additional and selective schemes are confirmed for launch this year, as well as 13 ongoing consultations. It says that by the end of 2025, it’s likely that there will be more than the record 28 schemes launched in 2022.