Local authorities face some big challenges when trying to make a success of the ‘Local Letting Agency’ concept, says David Lawrenson, a landlord and lettings consultant.

Some groups of local authorities are now setting up their own local letting agencies and one objective will be to attract more private landlords prepared to let property to those who are on low incomes and / or Local Housing Allowance (LHA). The properties will then be advertised / made available to tenants who are in housing need and who have approached the local authority for accommodation.

If the government has its way, by making an offer of suitable accommodation in the private rented sector, a local authority will be able to say it has discharged its housing homelessness duty to a household. This means that in the future many people who approach the councils for help will find that if they reject private rented accommodation they will not be able to remain on the social housing waiting list.

According to Lawrenson, the move to set up local letting agencies follows the Rugg Review which was commissioned by the previous government and which that recommended local authorities consider setting up local letting agencies to help facilitate this and other objectives to help them better engage with the private rented sector.