header-logo header-logo

Going local

24 April 2015 / Laura Tweedy
Issue: 7649 / Categories: Features , Property
printer mail-detail

Laura Tweedy examines the changing scope of private sector licensing

The Housing Act 2004 (HA 2004) introduced radical changes to the regulation of the private rental market when the relevant provisions came into force in April 2006. It allowed local authorities to designate their boroughs, or parts of their boroughs, as subject to a selective licensing regime. That meant any private landlord renting properties in the designated area had to obtain a licence. The licence imposed conditions which aimed to improve the private rental market in the designated area and the local authority obtained revenue from the licence fees. Various local authority schemes have been subject to legal challenge since.

In the past month there have been three substantial changes to these licensing schemes:

  1. The fines for breach have been increased
  2. The criteria for introducing selective licensing have widened
  3. If more than 20% of an area is to be designated, special permission is needed.

Increase of criminal fines

All private landlords in the designated area must obtain a licence. If they fail to do so,

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll