Landlord leaders reject new HMO crackdown powers
Summary
The article reports that the NRLA has strongly opposed MPs’ recommendation to make it easier for councils to introduce selective HMO licensing schemes. The House of Commons Housing Select Committee, however, argues that local authorities should be able to use licensing more effectively and set conditions requiring improvements to licensed properties.
Why it matters
Selective licensing and HMO regulation can affect compliance obligations, property standards and local enforcement expectations for landlords and managing agents. Surveyors may encounter these schemes when advising on condition, risk, and regulatory context for residential investment and rented stock.
Key points
- NRLA rejects proposals to expand council powers for selective HMO licensing.
- MPs want local authorities to be able to require property improvements through licence conditions.
- The committee recommends licensing schemes last for 10 years and be tied to improvements.
- NRLA says licensing should be used sparingly and warns against duplication with the PRS Database.
- The report also highlights the need to understand council capacity and improve transparency in enforcement.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
