The importance of inspections in licensing schemes - Insights from a local authority’s proactive approach to raising housing standards

While housing issues like damp, mould, and inadequate safety measures are well-known challenges in the private rented sector, their scale and persistence demand attention. Property inspections under licensing schemes remain one of the most effective tools for translating regulation into measurable improvements. They provide the data and evidence councils need to prioritise interventions, hold landlords accountable, and ensure properties are safe and compliant. Beyond resolving individual hazards, inspections support a broader shift towards proactive compliance—reducing enforcement burdens, protecting tenant health, and improving housing standards across communities.
Great Yarmouth’s Proactive Inspection Approach
The Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) case study, shared recently by Home Safe, highlights the critical role property inspections play in addressing these persistent challenges. By working with Home Safe as their delivery partner, GYBC implemented multiple inspection programmes under their Selective Licensing scheme that uncovered thousands of issues across licenced properties in the designated area—ranging from high-priority safety risks to maintenance problems that, if left unchecked, could worsen over time. This level of insight allowed for targeted compliance management, where landlords were given clear, actionable requirements to bring their properties up to standard.
The impact of this was twofold: it improved conditions for tenants while freeing up council resources to focus on the most serious cases of non-compliance. For example:
- During the first inspection programme, over 73% of properties exhibited at least one high-priority issue.
- Through effective compliance monitoring, 95% of these critical issues were resolved within three months.
This first round of inspections also revealed broader patterns, such as the high prevalence of damp and mould across properties or the absence of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
The second phase of inspections demonstrated clear, measurable progress had been made:
- The time for landlords to resolve issues decreased significantly, falling from 69 days to 43 days.
- The percentage of properties with no issues increased from 11% to 18%, reflecting improved landlord engagement and housing conditions.
This is a prime example of how ongoing inspections, supported by compliance management, deliver long-term value. By identifying recurring issues and ensuring timely resolutions, councils can raise overall housing standards while protecting tenant well-being.
Key Takeaways for Councils
For councils considering their approach to PRS licensing, the lessons from Great Yarmouth are clear:
- Inspections are not just about identifying problems: They drive continuous improvement and encourage proactive landlord engagement.
- Strategic use of inspection data: By leveraging insights from inspections, councils can prioritise resources, reduce enforcement burdens, and address issues at scale.
- Measurable results: Repeat inspections of every single property provide evidence of progress, helping councils demonstrate the impact of their schemes and deliver better outcomes for communities.
Conclusion
Inspections are a powerful mechanism for ensuring tenants live in homes that are safe, secure, and fit for purpose. By partnering with Home Safe as the delivery partner, and adopting a proactive, data-driven approach—as seen in Great Yarmouth—local authorities can ensure multiple inspections are carried out on every property in the designated area to improve housing conditions, build stronger relationships with landlords, and ultimately create safer homes for PRS tenants.