Manjinder Kaur Atwal, director of housing law at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, feels the service will only be successful if action is taken against rogue landlords.
She said: “Giving councils and tenants better information about who is operating in the private rented sector is a positive step, but registration will only make a real difference if it leads to action against landlords who repeatedly fail to meet their obligations.
“Our own research into rogue landlords highlighted the problems tenants can face when poor housing, inadequate repairs and unlawful practices go unchecked. A national register could give councils a much clearer picture of who is letting properties in their areas and help them identify landlords who may require closer scrutiny.
“It will also be important that tenants can actually use the information to make informed decisions before signing a tenancy. Registration should not become a box-ticking exercise.
“Its real test will be whether it helps tenants identify responsible landlords and gives councils the intelligence they need to intervene when landlords fall short.”
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