Freya Lees & Dr. John Boyle, DTZ
ISBN 978 1 78045 294 4 (Web only publication)
ISSN 2045 6964
DPPAS 11841
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This report is accompanied by a Research Findings
CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Context
Methodology
Key Findings
Operational Impact of the Policy and Legislative Framework
Purpose of Scheme
Effectiveness of the Scheme
Collaborative working
Legislation
General approach by local authorities
Sanctions
Performance monitoring
Effectiveness of Administrative Systems
IT
Administrative systems
Fees
Administrative costs
Appetite for local administration
Recommendations
1 INTRODUCTION
Study Objectives
Landlord Registration
Legislation
Methodology
2 STUDY FINDINGS: OPERATIONAL IMPACT OF LANDLORD REGISTRATION
Landlords
Overall Views on the Impact of Landlord Registration
Legislative Framework
Unregistered Lets
Landlord Awareness
Tenant Awareness
Lapsed Registrations
Review Lists
Fit and Proper Person
Decision Making
Role of Agents
Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation
Enforcement and Breaches
Enforcement
Breaches
Sanctions
Late Application Fees
Rent Penalty Notices
Report to Procurator Fiscal
Property Management and Conditions
Property Conditions
Anti-social Behaviour ( ASB)
Fee Structure
European Services Directive
Performance and Monitoring
3 STUDY FINDINGS: EFFECTIVENESS OF ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS
Landlord Registration Administration Arrangements
Reporting Systems
Fee Administration
Banking
Landlord Registration Website
4 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Operational Impact of the Policy and Legislative Framework
Register
Raising standards
Purpose of the scheme
Legislative framework
Sanctions
Fees
Performance monitoring
Effectiveness of Administrative Systems
IT
Fee payment system
Administrative costs
Appetite for local administration
APPENDIX 1 STUDY METHODOLOGY
Local Authority Survey
Survey Respondents
Case Studies
Stakeholder Workshop
APPENDIX 2 LOCAL AUTHORITY SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
APPENDIX 3 SURVEY FINDINGS
Private Sector Landlords
Number of Landlords
Number of Private Rented Sector Properties
Landlord Profile
Scheme Administration
Location of Landlord Registration Administration
Staff
Process
Landlord Registration Website
Fit and Proper Person
Decision Making
Identifying Landlords
Unregistered Lets
Lapsed Registrations
Property Management
Property Conditions
Landlord Awareness
Tenant Awareness
Enforcement, Breaches and Sanctions
IT and Administrative Systems
Performance and Monitoring
Fee Administration
Late Fee Penalties
Fee Structures
Outcomes
Anti-social Behaviour
Additional Comments
Summary of Survey Findings
APPENDIX 4 SUMMARY OF CASE STUDY FINDINGS
APPENDIX 5 STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP
Consumers
Fit and proper person test and enforcement
Role of agents
Impacts
Legislation
Landlords
Views on landlord opinion of Landlord Registration
Views on landlord awareness
Is Landlord Registration light touch?
Views on fit and proper person test
Views on enforcement activity
The role of agents
Outcomes
IT Issues
List of Tables and Figures
Figure 2.1 Project Plan
Table 4.1 Recommendations for the legislative framework and operation
Table 4.2 Recommendations for Administration
Figure A3.1 How many private sector landlords do you estimate there to be in your local authority area?
Figure A3.2 How many private rented sector properties do you estimate there to be in your local authority area?
Figure A3.3 Relationship between Number of Landlords and Number of Properties
Figure A3.4 What is the typical landlord profile in your area?
Figure A3.5 Where within the Council is Landlord Registration administered?
Figure A3.6 What grades of staff are involved in Landlord Registration in your local authority area?
Figure A3.7 What enforcement qualifications/experience do staff involved in Landlord Registration in your local authority area hold?
Figure A3.8 Who makes the decision to approve a registration?
Figure A3.9 Who does/would make the decision to refuse/revoke a registration?
Figure A3.10 Which of the following mechanisms do you use to search for unregistered lets?
Figure A3.11 Which three of the following mechanisms would you rate as the most effective in searching for unregistered lets?
Figure A3.12 If you answered yes to the above, how do you publicise the scheme?
Figure A3.13 If you answered yes to the above, how do you publicise the scheme?
Figure A3.14 What is the main focus of your local authority's enforcement activity?
Figure A3.15 How many of each type of Breach identified by Part 8 of the 2004 Act have you identified since implementation?
Figure A3.16 How many appeals against decisions made in relation to existing powers have you received since implementation? (Please provide actual number)
Table A3.1 IT and Administrative Systems
Figure A3.17 How effective is the online fee payment facility?
Figure A3.18 What is the total budget in your area per annum for Landlord Registration?
Figure A3.19 Relationship between Budget and Number of Landlords
Figure A3.20 Please rank the following activities in terms of the highest budget spend
Figure A3.21 Please rank the following activities in terms of staff time input
Figure A3.22 Do the fees charged cover administration/Investigation/Enforcement Costs?
Figure A3.23 Relationship Between Late Fee Penalties and Number of Landlords
Table A.3.1 Outcomes
The views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and
do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers.