The long-awaited database on rogue letting agents and landlords is set to be launched next April.

The database, in the Housing and Planning Act 2016, had initially been expected this October.

The list, which will only be available to the central Government and local authorities, will include those with criminal convictions and those who have been issued with banning orders for a range of offences.

David Cox, chief executive of ARLA Propertymark, told EYE his understanding is that the database will go live on April 6.

Legislation will have to be enacted early in the New Year to enable its implementation.

Bans could be indefinite or for as little as a year.

However, there is concern that the blacklist will only be available to local councils and central Government, and not to members of the public or to agency bosses looking to hire staff.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has released details of what offences need to be executed by agents or landlords to make them possible candidates for inclusion on the register.

These include:

– illegally evicting or harassing a residential occupier in contravention of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977

– using violence to secure entry under the Criminal Law Act 1977

– failure to comply with an Improvement Notice

– failure to comply with a prohibition order

– offences in relation to licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation

– offences in relation to licensing of houses under Part 3 of Housing Act 2004 (section 95)

– contravention of an overcrowding notice

– failure to comply with management regulations in respect of HMOs

– providing false or misleading information