Boston Council's Environment and Performance Committee is to consider a proposal to bring in PRS selective licensing at a meeting scheduled for tomorrow (22nd November 2022). The licensing proposal is put forward via a review report from the council's Safer Communities team.

The report states that the review was instigated by concerns raised through December 2021 and January 2022 about poor standards in the private rented sector. The review sought input from a number of stakeholders by way of a series of in person and remote meeting sessions. Attendees included neighbouring authorities, partner agencies, local letting agents and local community representatives however, all the local "Gangmaster" managers appear to have declined the invitation to attend.

The concerns about local PRS accommodation standards raised questions about whether the council's Housing Standards officers had all the appropriate regulatory tools available to them in order to improve conditions and also to hold local landlords to account for the quality of housing provided in the sector.

The report points to the fact that Housing Standards officers have been using mandatory HMO licensing and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) powers to enforce proper standards but that selective licensing would enable those officers to take a more proactive approach toward PRS standards.

In conclusion, the review report states that "There is a risk that conditions in Boston's PRS may deteriorate if the decision is made to continue with the status quo."

Additional supporting documentation on the rational for a selective licensing scheme for consideration by the council's Overview and Scrutiny - Environment and Performance Committee meeting on 22nd November can be accessed here under agenda item 3 - Housing Standards.

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