Regulating the privately rented sector: what should the workforce look like?

EHPs and other trained practitioners were the traditional regulators of conditions and management in the private rented sector (PRS). However austerity cuts have led to a reduced workforce both in number and nature of front line practitioners. This has combined with substantial changes to numbers now living in the PRS and increasing rogue landlords operating in the sector. Despite a substantial regulatory framework, there are simply insufficient numbers of front line practitioners to deliver effective services. The PRS workforce in England has been under scrutiny for some time and options have remained under review. Middlesex University has delivered a post graduate level advanced private sector housing regulatory module for three years with some 60 students to date. There is no other similarly focused module training housing practitioners. Another challenge has been the lack of suitable training resources in this much under resourced and highly specialist area. As a result an edited book is due for imminent publication covering the range of issues faced by the PRS workforce and is written by experts in the field. EHPs require a range of advanced knowledge, skills and competencies in delivering appropriate and effective front line services. Research and practice must effectively co-exist. This will help ensure that strategies and interventions to address poor living conditions, housing and health inequalities can be delivered