The Government is set to consult on the database for rogue landlords and agents which was introduced in April 2018. The database is currently limited to landlords or agents convicted of a small range of the most serious offences and is only available to the local authority. The consultation seeks views on both expanding the scope of the database to include more offences and infractions and widening access to tenants, agents and the general public.

The reality is that the private rental sector is huge and the number of rogue landlords/agents that knowingly and intentionally fail to meet their legal obligations is small.The aim of the database is to support the professionalism of the industry and the consultation enables further exploration to make it an even more useful tool. Tenants and potential tenants will be able to vet their landlord/agent. Agents can vet potential landlord clients and potential new employees.

The consultation will last for 12 weeks from 21 July 2019. You can contribute online, by email or in good old fashioned writing. It's another important development in the private rental sector, so make your voice heard.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/rogue-landlord-database-reform