Portsmouth Labour councillors have proposed a motion for the Full Council meeting due to take place next Tuesday 15th October which would see all private landlords in the city licensed by the council.

This follows hundreds of doorstep conversations between Portsmouth Labour councillors, local Labour activists and residents, concerned that the council is not doing all it can to improve standards in the private rented sector.

Landlord licensing allows the council to put in place stringent checks on landlords and the properties they rent out, ensuring the local authority is doing all within its power to crack down on the few rogue landlords, enforce tenants’ rights and improve our communities for everyone. Landlords who fail these checks can be prevented from renting out residential properties.

A similar motion was proposed by Labour back in July but fell after a number of councillors had to leave the chamber due to being landlords or private renters themselves. The remaining Tory councillors and a number of the Lib Dems, then voted to prevent the issue being discussed.

The resubmitted motion has been amended to include requirements for all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to also be licensed by the council. Currently only larger HMOs consisting of 5 persons or more are required to be licensed. The Labour motion would see this licensing extended to smaller HMOs of 3 or 4 persons.

Labour spokesperson for Housing and a councillor for Charles Dickens ward Cal Corkery said:

“People keep telling us they feel not enough is being done to regulate the local private rented sector. We’ve looked at what other councils are doing to crack down on poor conditions and lacklustre property management and found that landlord licensing has proven an effective tool elsewhere.

“That’s why we’re calling on the council to use the powers at its disposal to license all private landlords. Tenants and neighbours deserve to know that the local authority is doing all it can to improve their lives and the Labour Group is committed to making sure they do.”

Central Southsea campaigner, Charlotte Gerada said:

“As a private renter, I’ve experienced being trapped in rented properties with poor conditions firsthand. Living in rented homes with damp, mould, unsafe electrics and broken appliances, where it’s been a struggle to get agreement from landlords to resolve basic issues.

“Sadly I’m not alone, as we’ve spoken with hundreds of residents who face similar situations. Some renters are forced to live in poor conditions and others fear reporting issues in case they get evicted. A landlord licensing scheme will help to drive up standards in rented accommodation and tackle rogue landlords who rent properties in disrepair. It will ensure renters have a basic set of guarantees regarding their housing, health and security.”

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