Property inspections are essential for gaining an accurate reflection of PRS housing conditions within a licensing area, as demonstrated by Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s partnership with Home Safe to deliver their comprehensive inspection programme.

With upcoming reforms of local government funding, councils face new challenges. This article explores the complexities of budgeting, licensing fees, and the potential benefits of using a delivery partner to deliver a scheme.

The partnership delivery model tackles common challenges in property licensing, such as improving landlord communication and streamlining compliance.

Fuel poverty remains a pressing issue, affecting millions of households and placing significant strain on both health and social care systems.

Keeping properties well-maintained is crucial for creating safe, thriving communities, particularly in areas with a high proportion of rental homes.

A rogue landlord in Wembley was recently fined nearly £50,000 for renting an overcrowded property with eight tenants living in unsafe conditions, highlighting the urgent need for property inspections under licensing schemes. Dubbed a 'house of horrors,' the property posed severe health and safety risks.

Local government budgets are stretched, especially when balancing essential services with discretionary licensing schemes. Home Safe’s partnership provides councils with fixed-cost solutions, allowing stable budgeting and confident planning for inspections and compliance, ensuring resources are used effectively to meet legal obligations.

Selective Licensing Schemes have, in recent years, gained traction as a means to drive positive change in the private rented sector (PRS). The Renters’ Rights Bill does not change this trend as provision for folding discretionary licensing schemes into the wider PRS reforms is made in the Bill.

The Renters’ Rights Bill will return to Parliament for debate this week. The introduction of the Decent Homes Standard and the expansion under the proposed legislation of Awaab’s Law to tackle damp and mould, along with the requirement to report property inspection data, will give tenants greater confidence that they are living in safe and warm homes.

Last year we reported on a grim case in Leeds where the tenant (who was also an employee of the landlord) of a basement flat, with no planning permission, died of his injuries 10 days after a fire broke out in his home. Among the other serious deficiencies at the property that increased the probability of death if a fire started, there were no smoke detectors or fire alarms.