Local authorities can choose to implement "Selective Licensing Schemes." These schemes aim to ensure that private rented homes meet required standards. We need evidence to find out if people benefit from selective licensing. This project will provide that evidence for England.
This study is funded by the NIHR Public Health Research programme (NIHR154797). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
The number of people in England who rent their homes from private landlords has increased. Most private rented homes meet government health and safety standards. Some do not. This is a concern because poor housing is bad for people's health and wellbeing.
Local authorities can choose to implement "Selective Licensing Schemes." These schemes aim to ensure that private rented homes meet required standards. They cover the most common type of private rented housing. Local authorities can choose whether to implement these schemes.
Selective Licensing Schemes involve housing inspections. They require landlords to improve substandard. homes. They require landlords to take action on anti-social tenants. The government intend the schemes to benefit the wider community. The government states that reducing anti-social behaviour improves well-being.
We need evidence to find out if people benefit from selective licensing. This project will provide that evidence for England. We will measure the impact of Selective Licensing on tenants. We will measure impacts on the wider community – including health, anti-social behaviour and housing impacts.
We will include all the Selective Licensing Schemes in England that have run for at least 5 years. We know where these are. We will compare people who live in these schemes with people who live elsewhere. We have tested our methods in a study of Greater London.
We want to talk to different people and hear their views. We will interview people who implement Selective Licensing Schemes. We will interview landlords, tenants and community groups. For this part of our study, we will select certain schemes and learn more about them. We will look at schemes in the north and south of England. We will cover larger schemes and smaller schemes.
We want to know if selective licensing schemes are value for money. We will collect and assess economic information for that purpose. We want to ensure that our findings are useful and people know about them. We have good links with national and local government. We have good links with relevant charities. We will share our early findings with stakeholders. Their responses will inform our final report.
Registration: Research Registry. ID: researchregistry9775
We are researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of Liverpool, Lancaster University, University of Bristol and University of Greenwich. We are funded by National Institute for Health and Social Care (NIHR). NIHR works in partnership with the National Health Service and is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Research team
- Professor Matt Egan, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (Project Lead)
- Dr Jakob Petersen, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (Project Lead)
- Dr Alexandros Alexiou, University of Liverpool
- Professor Ben Barr, University of Liverpool
- Professor Frank De Vocht, University of Bristol
- Dr Debbie Humphry, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- Dr Katharina Janke, Lancaster University
- Dr Dalya Marks, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- Ms Rose McDonald, Public Involvement
- Dr Maureen Seguin, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- Ms Roz Spencer, Safer Renting, Cambridge House
- Dr Jill Stewart, University of Greenwich
What is the study about?
We are looking at whether or not people think that government licensing schemes for landlords who privately rent homes is a good idea. We are focusing on a type of scheme called ‘Selective Licensing.’ We invite you to give your views and experiences of private rented housing and what, if anything, you think about landlord licensing. It is part of a national study that considers lots of people’s views - implementers, tenants, landlords, voluntary organisations. The study evaluates health and social impacts.
What do people who take part do?
Take part in an interview. Up to one hour - by phone or online or in some cases face to face. We will ask about what it is like to rent, what impact private renting has on you and those around you, and if you know about landlord licensing. We will not make public any information we collect that could identify you, your home, or others.
Compensation for time.
Compensation for time is available for tenants who take part. At the end of the interview, tenants will receive a £20 shopping voucher. Other stakeholders will not receive shopping vouchers, although in the case of participants who take part in a face-to-face meeting, travel expenses will be covered.
Who runs the study?
Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Universities of Liverpool, Lancaster, Bristol and Greenwich.
Please contact us for more information or if you are interested in taking part.
Debbie Humphry, Research Fellow
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
15-17 Tavistock Place
London
WC1H 9SH
Email: debbie.humphry@lshtm.ac.uk
Study information sheets
Publications and outputs will be updated as the national study progresses.
Impact of selective licensing schemes for private rental housing on mental health and social outcomes in Greater London, England: a natural experiment study
Petersen J, Alexiou A, Brewerton D, et al
BMJ Open 2022;12:e065747. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065747
Assessing the impact of selective licencing schemes for private rental housing on mental health and well-being: protocol for a mixed-method natural experiment study in Greater London, UK
Petersen J, Seguin M, Alexiou A, et al
BMJ Open 2022;12:e057711. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057711