One significant development from the recent local elections is the rise of Reform UK, which managed to secure 677 individual council seats across the country. This unexpected success has sparked growing interest in the party’s stance on housing policy — particularly around landlord licensing at the local level.
While Reform UK has not yet laid out a detailed housing policy, some of its representatives have voiced criticism of certain elements within the Renters Reform Bill. Their opposition has led many to question whether the party will look to scale back or even abolish landlord licensing schemes in areas where it now holds control or substantial influence over local councils.
Landlord licensing has been a contentious issue in recent years. Supporters claim it helps improve housing standards and tenant safety, while critics argue it adds red tape and financial strain for landlords. Reform UK’s emergence as a political force could impact the future of these schemes, especially in boroughs where landlords are already expressing concerns about increased regulation.
Adding to the speculation, party figurehead Nigel Farage publicly shared in the autumn that he might be forced to sell his own rental property. He cited the impact of the Renters’ Rights Bill as a key factor behind his decision, calling into question whether the proposed reforms are fair or sustainable for property owners.
With Reform UK now in a position to influence local housing policy in several areas, landlords and letting agents will be watching closely to see how the party approaches licensing. Will they seek to remove what they view as excessive regulation, or will they adopt a more balanced approach?
As local authorities begin to reshape their housing strategies under new leadership, the next few months will offer clearer insight into how Reform UK intends to handle landlord legislation — and whether this marks a turning point in the debate over licensing in the private rented sector.
During an interview on GB News, Nigel Farage openly criticised the Renters Reform Bill, describing it as both “a huge mistake” and “self-defeating”. He warned that it could result in a sharp decline in the number of available rental homes across the country.
Farage also revealed that he personally owns a rental property, but suggested that the ongoing direction of policy may push him to sell it. “I have a property I rent out, but the way it’s going I may just sell it,” he commented.
At the same time, growing resistance is emerging against the expansion of landlord licensing schemes in more local authority areas. A new petition has been launched by Portsmouth-based landlord Simon Fletcher, aiming to challenge the legal foundations of these schemes.
Fletcher’s petition specifically targets the 2015 legislation that empowered councils to introduce additional licensing rules. He argues that these rules have enabled local authorities to impose what he describes as “insidious” regulatory frameworks on landlords.
The petition calls on the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to revoke the Selective Licensing of Houses (Additional Conditions) (England) Order 2015. It also urges the government to halt the creation of any new licensing schemes and to refrain from renewing existing ones.
According to the petition, this legislation has been misused by councils, particularly in areas with diverse populations, potentially introducing heavy-handed regulations without due consideration of local sensitivities.
Fletcher also points out that the proposed Renters Reform Bill already includes the creation of a Private Rented Sector database, which he believes would render these additional licensing schemes unnecessary.
This growing opposition signals a wider frustration among landlords who feel increasingly burdened by regulation, especially at the local level. With political figures and private landlords alike voicing their concerns, the debate around licensing looks set to intensify.
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