Propertymark has called for a proportionate approach to Government plans that could give councils new powers to take control of privately rented properties in poor condition and bring them into public housing stock.

Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, said: “Addressing poorly maintained properties should remain a key concern, with local authorities across England working closely with residents, landlords and property agents to understand why properties may fall below the required standard.

“Every case will have different circumstances, so any proposals must be proportionate and recognise the individual circumstances of the property and those living in it.”

Further clarity is also being sought on how any new powers would operate in practice, particularly where tenants remain in occupation and where responsibility for management or remedial work could pass to a local authority.

Douglas said: “With the new ‘Register Your Rental Property Service’ being implemented for landlords from December, councils will have greater access to information to support targeted, intelligence-led enforcement.

“The focus should be on making better use of existing tools rather than simply adding another layer of legislation and potentially damaging relationships between good landlords and government.”

Vann Vogstad, founder and CEO of HMO property management platform COHO, said: “The Government also needs to be clear about what these additional powers will mean in practice, including which properties they will apply to, what threshold councils will have to meet and how they will work alongside existing legislation.”

He added: “Crack down on rogue landlords, absolutely. But don’t inadvertently make it impossible for good landlords to operate. Ultimately, that risks hurting tenants too.”