THE NEED FOR A NATIONAL LICENSING SCHEME FOR PRIVATE LANDLORDS AND LETTING AGENCIES
Posted by Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield, at 13:59, Wed 11 November 2009:
During the summer recess, I attended many meetings with residents, the police, environmental health officers and local government officers about problems arising from antisocial behaviour and unkempt residential properties. Many were angry. They felt isolated and powerless to deal with the problems that confronted them in their everyday lives in their communities. There were major similarities in the situations faced by all those residents. They all lived in former colliery terraced housing, where private landlords owned many of the properties. Many of them were absentee landlords who did not seem to care who they were letting their properties to or what those people got up to. As a consequence, antisocial behaviour and a local environment that was growing dishevelled became a major problem. Once-proud communities felt threatened and not in control. The history of the areas is similar. We are talking about areas of early 20th-century terraced property, with low demand. Owner-occupiers move out and housing prices stagnate, offering investment opportunities for private landlords. Problem tenants move in, standards decline and house prices go down. To show some evidence of that, I asked Durham County Council to provide me with statistics on the make-up of the ownership in three areas of the Constituency. The statistics showed that of the 1,082 properties in question, 408, or 38 per cent., were held by private landlords. Of those private landlords, 51 per cent live outside County Durham or live abroad. In one part of Dean Bank 53 per cent of the houses are owned by private landlords, the majority living outside County Durham. In an area in Trimdon Station, 11 of the 25 terraced properties were owned by private landlords, the majority living outside the county. In an area Chilton, 50 per cent. of terraced properties were private lets, again with the majority of landlords living outside the county. The county council listed for me the reported problems residents are facing, for example, groups congregating on the streets drinking alcohol, fighting, criminal damage, rubbish accumulating in backyards, unsightly properties and poor property conditions. The problems seem to be emanating primarily from properties that are privately let. Regionally, about 8 per cent. of the housing stock is privately rented, although nationally the figure is about 13 per cent. In the area around Sedgefield it is 5.5 per cent., but in the areas I looked at 38 per cent. of private properties are privately let, the majority by landlords who do not live in County Durham, let alone in those villages. Antisocial behaviour is a significant problem for local residents, and is higher there than in the surrounding areas. That link needs greater attention. How can a landlord who lives in another part of the UK, or abroad, care about the community in which his property is situated? On balance, I do not think that he can. I believe if a property is bought with the intention of letting, there should be specific guidelines set down to make sure as a private landlord it is understood there is a statutory duty to properly maintain that property. Therefore for all the above reasons, I am calling on the Government to introduce a national licensing scheme covering all private landlords and letting agencies to ensure they adhere properly to their responsibilities to their properties, their tenants and to the wider community.
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Posted by Sean Barnett, 14:49, Wed 11 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I agree fully with the introduction of landlord licensing scheme. I have rented out a house in the past when I could not sell. Although I lived over 100 miles I always sought to ensure the property was kept clean and tidy inside and out, that any repairs required were done professionally and in a timely fashion. Currently I live away from home and often rent a room/house rather than use hotels. Several properties I have looked at I would not wish to live in - clearly some landlords treat the house as only a money generator. Having similar rules for all landlords such as the Multiple occupancy rules will help to ensure councils are given the legal backing to keep housing stock in good condition and neighbourhoods safe and secure. Good luck Phil
Posted by lileen cuthbertson, 17:42, Wed 11 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Hi Phil, I totally agree with the introduction of a private licencing scheme ! There does need to be standards for the landlord and tenant. Good luck ! Lileen Cuthbertson
Posted by Andrew Thurlow, 01:04, Fri 20 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I am a Steel Worker and let me stress WAS a life long Labour supporter. I'm not sure if this Landlords licence is the way to go. This Government has introduced countless laws and licences etc. It's ok making new laws but then you need someone to police these new laws. Have you ever tried to get a copper when a crime is being committed. I've bought 3 brand new flats (mortgaged) and let them out through a reputable letting agency. I've made a point in the tenants contract that they will be in breach of contract and therefore evicted if there is any antisocial behaviour. I've invested hopefully to help prop up my worthless pension after this Labour Government has totally destroyed and virtually made worthless the pension schemes of the UK. I know quite a few landlords that have invested for the same reason as myself. Just look at the billions Labour have thieved from our pensions. Pensions should be sacred and untouchable. Since investing in these properties, costs keep creeping in from the government. Energy efficient rating certificate etc. On a brand new flat. Poinless. But they just keep on taking. So I'd like to see exactly what this suggested licence entails and the extra costs, that true to Labours form there most certainly will be. Yes something most certainly needs to be done for these pour residents but what will a licence do? Do ASBOs work? No. These are used as a badge of honour. Labour is soft on crime and soft on the causes of crime. Phil mentioned drinking in the street etc. Well when do you ever see a copper on the street to police all the thousands of new laws that Labour brought in? And what about the local government? Aren't they landlords themselves? But look what they have allowed to happen to council estates. I used to visit family and friends on 2 estates in Darlington but daren't go near them now. I could tell you some stories there that will make your teeth curl. Beirut seems more inviting. Everybody seems to know their rights but not there responsibilities. So again what will a licence do and who will police it? The absent landlords? The decent landlords will have nothing to worry about but will no doubt be finacially penalised. I'm all for helping these genuinely hard done to residents but will a licence just get the scum tenants moved elsewhere. Then the council are obliged to house these people and so just move these problem people on. These problem people have no deterent now, and will make life hell for others where ever they are moved on to, so the landlord will be made to pick up the pieces because the government has tied both the hands of the police behind their back. " YUMAN RITES GUVNER". I believe that if you have a moan, as I have, then you should also put forward a suggetion. Mine would be that only a certain percentage of houses in any given area are allowed to be let out and evenly spread across an area. And not any two adjoined buidings. A street of 30 houses may only have X amount let out for instance. This means that the majority are owner occupiers. These absent landlords should be made to sell up if above this percentage or, if they fail to respond, sold on their behalf by the council, and costs taken from the sale. If the majority are owner occupied properties then there is every chance that social standards will increase and a decent society will prevail in these areas. Also the house prices will increase to a realistic level. I'm not sure if this idea is realistic but hopefully it will prompt more and better suggestions than a typical Labour piece of paper that will do nothing. Do you really think a landlord living in another country gives a toss?