Rogue landlords would 'flout registration scheme'

Rogue landlords would continue to operate outside the law despite the introduction of a mandatory register, a new national taskforce for the private rented sector has heard.

The ‘taskforce’ has had its first meeting to discuss the proposed national register of landlords.

At the meeting, there was concern about the requirement for names, dates or birth and property addresses to be shown on the register.

The issue as to whether the register should be directly linked to enforcement action against landlords was also raised. The register would be mandatory and landlords would be issued with a registration number.

Any breaches committed by landlords would also be on the register and landlords might be required to observe a code of practice and join the Housing Ombudsman.

But, the meeting heard, some landlords might refuse to join the register, might operate under false names, or simply choose to operate outside the law.

Convened by Communities and Local Government, the meeting was attended by representatives of various organisations, including charities Shelter and Crisis, the National Union of Students, National Landlords Association, Residential Landlords Association and RICS.

The NAEA, ARLA, NALS and Property Ombudsman were not listed as attending.