CIEH hails major victory on the use of licensing schemes to improve housing standards

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has hailed a major victory on the use of licensing schemes to improve housing standards.

A government announcement in the English Devolution White Paper means that councils will no longer be required to seek approval from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for larger selective licensing schemes.

Selective licensing schemes involve designated areas where privately rented properties have to be licensed with the local authority.

Local authorities are currently required to seek approval from the Secretary of State for selective licensing schemes covering more than 20% of the local authority area.

A new general approval for selective licensing will come into force on 23 December 2024 and will enable local housing authorities to introduce schemes of any size without seeking approval from the Secretary of State.

Mark Elliott, President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said:

“We have repeatedly called for this specific change, for example in a letter to the Secretary of State in July. It will make a significant difference to the ability of local authorities to tackle poor housing conditions.

The introduction of selective licensing schemes involves considerable uncertainty when the schemes are subject to the Secretary of State’s ability to veto them.

We are delighted that the Government has now addressed this important issue.”