Recent headlines have brought attention to a widening gap between the rules imposed on private landlords and the reality of conditions in council-managed housing. It is an issue that has long been whispered about but is now becoming more visible, thanks to a series of high-profile cases and increased public scrutiny.
This discussion is not about blaming individuals for isolated incidents. Instead, it is about drawing attention to what many see as a double standard. The forthcoming Renters’ Rights Bill (RRB) is intended to give tenants stronger protections, but it also highlights the urgent need for one consistent, transparent set of rules that applies equally to every landlord, regardless of whether they operate privately or within a council.
One case that illustrates the challenges is that of Rushanara Ali, the former Minister for Homelessness. She faced criticism for re-letting her property at a higher rent, yet her situation is one many landlords could easily face in the near future under the new regulatory framework.
It is understood that Ms Ali initially sought to sell the property – a move that has become increasingly common for landlords in the current uncertain housing market. However, when the sale did not go ahead, she decided to let it again at the prevailing market rate. This decision, while legal, attracted public and political attention.
Her experience underlines a key challenge for landlords once the RRB comes into effect. They will be expected to adapt to changing market conditions, navigate a new ombudsman system, and comply with the introduction of potential property databases – all without knowing in advance what the costs of these changes might be.
Ms Ali is far from the only Labour MP landlord to face criticism over property matters. Jas Athwal, another MP, admitted that his rental properties had ongoing issues with black mould and ant infestations, prompting questions over the quality of housing being provided. Such issues are not minor inconveniences; they can have serious health implications for tenants.
This pattern of concern extends far beyond the political sphere. Brent Council, for example, has developed a reputation for aggressively prosecuting private landlords. Yet reports suggest that one of its own tenants has endured years of living with rats, damp, and even sewage leaks. This raises questions about whether councils are holding themselves to the same standards they expect from private landlords.
In another high-profile example, Labour-run Lambeth Council faced legal action earlier this year after attempting to evict some of its tenants in order to make room for homeless families. This was despite the council’s legal duty to help prevent homelessness in the first place. As a result of their actions, over 160 households received Section 21 eviction notices.
Such examples reveal a wider, systemic problem. Local authorities act both as lawmakers and as landlords, meaning they have the power to enforce strict housing regulations on the private sector while sometimes failing to meet those same standards in their own housing stock. This dual role creates room for inconsistency, and in some cases, clear hypocrisy.
One encouraging aspect of the RRB – which we at iHowz strongly support – is the requirement for councils to be more transparent about their enforcement activities. For too long, many councils have rolled out costly licensing schemes but inspected only a small fraction of the properties they are responsible for overseeing.
At iHowz, we have long supported a more effective and transparent licensing process. Our work in Southampton helped create a fairer model, which has been proven to work well. This approach lowered licensing fees for landlords while ensuring that inspections take place at the start of the licensing period, helping to identify and address any problems early on.
Another positive feature of the Southampton scheme is that it allows landlords to use qualified, independent surveyors to inspect and certify their properties. This not only takes the burden off councils but also creates a predictable and consistent inspection timetable, often before tenants even move in. This benefits both landlords and tenants by ensuring that properties are safe and up to standard from the outset.
If such a model were applied more widely, councils could maintain their oversight role without overextending their resources. Landlords, meanwhile, would benefit from a fairer and more transparent system, and tenants could have greater confidence in the quality of their homes. It would also help to close the trust gap that currently exists between the public and those responsible for housing regulation.
Until there is one clear, fair set of rules that applies to all landlords, trust in the housing enforcement system will continue to decline. Private landlords will rightly point to double standards, while tenants in both the private and social sectors will continue to be let down.
The message is straightforward: one rule should apply to every landlord – whether they operate privately or within a council. There should be no exceptions, and no excuses.
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