Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which local authorities have notified her Department since July 2024 that they intend to (a) introduce and (b) extend selective licensing schemes on private rented sector (PRS) dwellings; and if she will publish (i) the location of each scheme, (ii) the (A) number and (B) percentage of PRS properties as a proportion of total housing stock within the designation, (iii) the proportion of each local authority’s PRS stock which will be covered by licensing once the scheme is in place, (iv) the criteria under which each designation has been made, (v) the levels of relevant licensing fees and (f) the total value of licensing fees for each local authority.

There is no requirement for local authorities to notify the Department of their intention to introduce or extend selective licensing schemes.

The General Approval issued in December 2024, removed the requirement for the Secretary of State to approve schemes covering more than 20% of a local authority’s private rented properties or geographical area.

We expect local authorities to make information regarding their scheme readily available.