By David Lawrenson

Few people realise that the 2004 Housing Act gives local councils powers to selectively license (SL) ALL privately rented property in areas that suffer from what's called "low housing demand" and / or "anti social behaviour".

This can apply to all properties in an area (not just HMOs) and is in addition and separate to their powers under the Housing in Multiple Occupation (HMO) rules.

What does this mean for landlords, which areas are already doing it or plan to do it, why SL could make an area worse, why it may make getting a mortgage impossible, and why some landlords are understandably furious at this - and what they propose instead.

What is Selective Licensing?