At Housing Committee last night, Labour won support for recommitting to introduce selective landlord licensing in the city as soon as possible.

Labour’s motion, that passed without Conservative support, also committed the Council to setting up an ethical lettings agency and to drawing up an ethical landlords’ charter.

Tackling the housing crisis in the city is a central priority of the Labour Group of Councillors on Brighton & Hove City Council, and passing this motion means another step towards a fairer system for those in the private rental sector.

Labour will be monitoring the situation closely and will work with the Green administration to get things moving as swiftly as feasible on selective licensing (after a previous attempt at this was blocked by the Secretary of State), an ethical lettings agency and ethical landlords’ charter.

Labour’s housing spokesperson, Councillor Gill Williams said:

“The implementation of selective landlord licencing is essential to enable meaningful regulation of the private rental sector.

“Responsible landlords should welcome any scheme which tackles the rogues, those landlords operating below the radar, flouting the law, and getting away with not paying their fair share of taxes.

“A not-for-profit ethical lettings agency would offer a better renting experience with landlords and tenants treated with equal respect and dignity, and ensuring help is on hand to maintain sustainable tenancies.

“The implementation of an ethical landlord’s charter will act as a declaration of decency and a statement of intent to help create a fair, professional and ethical rental sector, encouraging good practice and basic standards.

“This as an opportunity to develop the basis for an innovative approach to letting and to sow the seeds of a progressive rental market in the city.”

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Image: Creative Commons