I read with interest the article by Tehmtan Framroze, chairman of the private-sector housing forum and cabinet member for housing (April 8).

My association is in favour of decent standards and safety in such accommodation. In that way, it does not differ from the objectives of the registration scheme nor of those as set out by Councillor Framroze.

What I and my association do object most strongly to is the effect of this scheme on homelessness and the loss of substantial units of accommodation that will no longer be able to be let.

Why are minimum room standards in Brighton and Hove twice that of both Bournemouth and Westminster and higher than most other local authorities?

If a person is able to live safely in a room of 100 square feet in Bournemouth or Westminster, why not in Brighton and Hove?

Why has Brighton and Hove City Council chosen to include in the scheme terraced houses occupied by more than two unrelated people on separate agreements?

Why was a property divided into seven flatlets in Hove perfectly acceptable to let when Hove Borough Council existed but is not now acceptable?

I have knowledge of 46 units of accommodation being removed from the letting market to date. Those tenants have already been given notice to leave, after which the properties will be sold to the owner-occupation market. Where are these tenants to find alternative cheap accommodation?

Coun Framroze made the point about lack of proper heating, of improved energy efficiency, but expects all small rooms to be left vacant or to be combined with other rooms, creating greater cost to the occupant in rent and in heating, the very things he wishes to see reduced in his affordable housing policy.

Contrary to what Coun Framroze says, Des Turner's Energy Conservation Bill does not include single or two-storey properties, nor does it include any property occupied by fewer than four unrelated people.

If it becomes law, the current Brighton and Hove city registration scheme will cease and Dr Turner's scheme will be introduced throughout the country.

The council needs to work with private landlords, letting agents and managing agents to discuss the problems together to find solutions and not simply impose an unworkable scheme on landlords.

-Mike Stimpson, Chairman, Southern Private Landlords' Association, Brighton