Rogue Landlords and Property Agents Database Procedure

The procedure Rogue Landlords and Property Agents Database has been developed by RHE Global to support environmental health practitioners (EHPs) deliver strong and efficient enforcement on rogue and criminal landlords.

It builds on the existing suite of procedures already available in RIAMS Libraries (such as Banning Order Offences).     

The Database of Rogue Landlords and Property Agents was introduced in England by the Housing and Planning Act 2016 and has been available since 2018, for local authorities to record landlords and agents who have committed certain offences. Although it has not been used as widely as anticipated, the database was created with the aim of helping to keep track of rogue landlords and property agents, especially those operating across local authority boundaries, to help target enforcement and drive-up housing standards within the private rented sector. 

Liz Blend, Senior Housing Consultant for RHE Global, explained why having this procedure is so important: 

A readily accessible procedure to guide practitioners in the making of entries on the database will ensure the data is being used most effectively by EHPs, not only maximising its effectiveness as a deterrent to rogue landlords and property agents in their local area, but also helping fellow EHPs in other local authorities across the country with their investigations. By using the database to its full potential, EHPs will have access to all the relevant information necessary to enable appropriate decision-making and consistent enforcement against those rogue elements that operate across boundaries.  

With the likelihood of upcoming changes following the general election, if EHPs can now become confident in using the national database and improving its content, practitioners will be in a stronger position to easily understand and handle any future changes. This will ensure full benefit can be derived from the database and it becomes a key part of any authority’s toolkit to improve housing standards and discourage rogue landlords and agents from continuing to operate in the private rented sector.  

The Rogue Landlords and Property Agents Database procedure is available here in RIAMS Libraries. The procedure will be reviewed and updated as new legislation is introduced. 

Alan Davies, Director of Housing for RHE Global, talked to me about a recent project he has been working on, which will help local authorities tackle the issue of rogue landlords: 

Through our housing consulting division, we have recently completed a specific rogue landlord policy for a client, setting out in detail how local authorities will undertake mandatory duties and utilise all discretionary powers available in relation to these enforcement options. The local authorities involved in the project are committed to tackling the most serious of offending landlords through utilising the strongest enforcement options at their disposal, including banning orders, rent repayment orders, management orders and entries on the rogue landlord database.  

Up-to-date, easy-to-access procedures and guidance are available on RIAMS Libraries, supporting environmental health practitioners across all specialisms to work smarter, network and share good practice. Join thousands of other EHPs in the free conversation on RIAMS Communities. 

Visit RHE Training for a variety of training opportunities in specialist environmental health subjects, including Effective Enforcement Using the HHSRS on 27 June 2024.   

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