Clause 52 - Applications for licences
Housing Bill
3:15 pm
Mr Keith Hill (Minister of State (Housing and Planning), Office of the Deputy Prime Minister; Streatham, Labour)
It is not our intention to introduce a regulation to that effect, although it is fair that the licensing fee should cover the cost of the operation of the scheme in a particular locality. That reinforces the point that these are horses-for-courses costs for specific localities: we are intent, in the spirit of new localism, to leave the matter to local authorities. Such an approach will also be an incentive for good landlords to work with local authorities in the run-up to the introduction of licensing: that would benefit all involved.