The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has published written evidence welcoming the Renters’ Rights Bill but expressing concern about the large enforcement burden that its provisions will impose on local authorities.

The written evidence, which was submitted to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee scrutinising the legislation, will form the basis for the organisation’s continuing work on the bill during its passage through parliament.

The CIEH suggests that the fees for the private rented sector database and ombudsman schemes should provide funding for local authority enforcement of the provisions relating to these schemes. Additionally, the bill should be used as an opportunity to remove unnecessary barriers to the use of licensing schemes to improve housing standards, the CIEH says. This would include enabling local authorities operating selective licensing schemes to use licence conditions to improve housing conditions.

CIEH says there is a “peculiar disconnect” in the Housing Act 2004 licensing legislation whereby local authorities can introduce selective licensing schemes to address poor housing conditions but cannot include a directly enforceable requirement relating to housing condition as a condition of the licence itself.

The proposed private rented sector database has been welcomed by CIEH as a tool to support the use of tailored enforcement approaches by local authorities.

The organisation also welcomes, in principle, the proposed application of a Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector but believes that the various housing standards need to be consolidated to provide clarity for landlords, tenants and local authorities.

The written evidence contains a list of recommended amendments to the bill.

Mark Elliott, President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said: “This written evidence, which has been developed through our Housing Advisory Panel, is a substantial piece of work that will provide a very strong foundation for our further parliamentary activity around the bill.

“Following our oral evidence to the Public Bill Committee last month, we will continue making the voice of environmental health professionals heard on this crucial piece of legislation.”

The written evidence can be found here and the organisation’s oral evidence to the committee can be viewed here.