The government’s planned private rented sector database risks becoming an “expensive waste of resource” unless its implementation takes account of the needs of agents and landlords, an industry body has warned.
The Lettings Industry Council (TLIC) has called for a clearer strategy for the database, arguing that it must improve compliance, transparency and tenant safety while helping to identify rogue and criminal landlords.
The database is being introduced as part of the Renters’ Rights Act reforms, with TLIC publishing a report setting out six principles it believes should underpin its development.
These include clear identification of landlords, agents and properties, with the Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) adopted by default.
TLIC also wants the system to accommodate different legal ownership structures, including companies, trusts and joint ownership arrangements, while providing tenants with access to relevant compliance information.
The report calls for property safety records and compliance documents to be digitally integrated to reduce duplication and administrative delays.
It also argues that the database should be intuitive to use and implemented proportionately, taking account of the operational requirements faced by agents and landlords.
Theresa Wallace, co-chair of TLIC, said: “As it stands the government risks missing an opportunity to build a PRS database adapted to meet the fast-changing needs of the market. The best way forward is for the government to adopt a collaborative, pragmatic approach to its introduction during the next stage of rental reform.
“With phase two of the Renters’ Rights Act’s implementation rapidly approaching, now is the time for the government to consider how it can help agents and landlords as they plan their transition towards this new system.
“If the PRS database is to have any chance of success, the government has to take decisive steps which encourage effective engagement with the database on the part of stakeholders. If they fail to take this approach, the database will only become an expensive waste of resource.”
