The letting agents’ trade body is stepping up its campaign against blanket private rental sector licensing.

The issue has come to a head following the creation of an online petition by the Portsmouth and District Private Landlords Association which says the local scheme by the council is simply to generate revenue and impose unnecessary regulations, rather than genuinely improving housing standards.

Propertymark is also spurred on by the decision of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s to halt a similar licensing initiative, due to fears it would reduce the availability of private rented homes

In a statement over the weekend the trade body said: “We advocate for policies that effectively improve housing standards without imposing undue burdens on landlords and letting agents, and believe that engagement and support, rather than blanket licensing schemes, are more effective in achieving these goals. 

“We have long highlighted the importance of collaboration between local authorities and landlords to address housing issues constructively.

“We urge policymakers to consider the potential unintended consequences of licensing schemes and to explore alternative approaches that balance the needs of tenants with the practical realities faced by landlords and letting agents.”

This latest debate around licensing comes ahead of the Renters Rights Bill which will, when law, may overlap with or duplicate existing local licensing efforts. 

For example, both the Bill and local licensing often set similar property management standards and compliance checks. And Propertymark says this duplication could lead to confusion, increased costs, and greater administrative burdens for landlords and letting agents.

The body has also created a template that member agents can use to respond to  licensing consultations in their area.