The LGA has inputted to current parliamentary debates on the Government's Rental Reform White Paper by submitting its views in a series of key messages.

On selective licensing the LGA said that whilst licensing was a good tool for councils to use in tackling poor housing standards, councils were constrained in using licensing to it's full effect because of the lack of flexibility in their ability to use selective licensing over more than 20% of their PRS housing stock due to having to seek prior approval from the Sec' of State at DLUHC for a licensing designation of that size or greater.

The organisation also viewed the introduction of an Ombudsman office for the private rented sector as a "welcome step" in improving tenant access to redress against a poor quality landlord where such redress was warranted. However, at the same time it added that "Good enforcement depends on adequate resourcing in councils. This is because effective enforcement of regulations relies on an adequate number of qualified and trained staff, and we know they are difficult to recruit. This has led to some councils experiencing a skills shortage and a capacity challenge."

The LGA also said that it welcomed the creation of a Property Portal as this would allow councils "to dramatically increase council's ability to enforce against the small minority of landlords guilty of criminal behaviour." In addition, the organisation highlighted that it had published a "Good Practice Guide" (to which it provides a link) for councils to improve the quality of the PRS across England.