Review of Selective Licensing announced
In addition to releasing the guide “Houses in multiple occupation and residential property licensing reform: guidance for local housing authorities” the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has today announced a review into selective licensing to find out how well it is working.
The review and its finding will be released some time next Spring 2019 and will include evidence from independent commissioners, local authorities and bodies representing agents, landlords, tenants and housing professionals.
According to LocalGov.co.uk “Selective licensing gives local housing authorities the power to make it compulsory for landlords renting out private accommodation in a specified area to have a licence.
The intention behind the scheme is to deliver improved standards and safety in the private rented sector by enabling councils to assess whether they consider a potential landlord to be ‘fit or proper’. The local authority is also able to make other stipulations concerning management of the property and appropriate safety measures.”
Evidence from our own readers in particular, Larry Sweeney in Liverpool, and Mick Roberts in Nottingham has been particularly damning regarding the implementation, costs and legality of Selective Licensing in their respective local authorities.
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Previous Article
HMO licensing guidance for local authorities - and landlords
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 28
8:22 PM, 20th June 2018, About 8 years ago
Great Yarmouth council are now consulting on the introduction of selective licensing which the NLA announced they support!!
Not much point being a member of that organisation.
Member Since February 2016 - Comments: 977 - Articles: 1
9:07 AM, 21st June 2018, About 8 years ago
Cannot stop laughing… We have one property in Newham and have to pay licence once every 5 years. Not once we heard that the licensing brought anything good in this area. Once they said some rogues LLs have been prosecuted. They could have done that without licensing too. I seem to remember I calculated that was about 0.3% of all REGISTERED (paying) LLs in the area. If not less. What nobody seems to understand is that the licensing scheme is funded by good LLs, who would follow the regulations, no matter how stupid. The rougues will never register, vanish underground and continue their dodgy ‘business’. Idiocy at its best.
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 75
9:09 AM, 21st June 2018, About 8 years ago
The licence fees are an issue as landlords may need to pass these costs onto their tenants, which will place a greater burden on the most vulnerable people in the private rented sector (PRS).
Member Since November 2017 - Comments: 15
9:57 AM, 21st June 2018, About 8 years ago
Hi
Preparing papers for upper tribunal re Liverpool City Council license conditions.
If anyone affected by LCC would like to get in touch please do so eg Larry et al.
Gayle
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 415 - Articles: 52
2:09 PM, 21st June 2018, About 8 years ago
Gayle Ive already had these cowboys at tribunal. Give me a ring.
Member Since November 2017 - Comments: 15
2:16 PM, 21st June 2018, About 8 years ago
Hi
What is your phone number?
Gayle
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 415 - Articles: 52
4:03 PM, 21st June 2018, About 8 years ago
Its 07710498311
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1570 - Articles: 16
9:56 PM, 21st June 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Gayle Tregaskis at 21/06/2018 – 09:57
Gayle, if you need any help – let me know
[email protected]
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3237 - Articles: 81
9:50 AM, 23rd June 2018, About 8 years ago
The amount of Landlords selling in Nottingham is rising.
And I’ve got to give 3 sections 21’s next week cause the tenants who ain’t paying enough (as I’ve just ‘let them off’ in the past), and are costing too much time, are just not gonna comply with Licensing conditions and costs come 1 Aug when it arrives fully.
The Licensing schemes just don’t get that if you give us extra costs and time management, the money has to come from somewhere.
My biggest gripe is that I and many others already have new boilers kitchens windows doors etc., And now Licensing want to ‘fine’ us for doing the houses up.
What has us GOOD LANDLORDS and the GOOD TENANTS done wrong to justify being whacked with this cost?
Member Since July 2017 - Comments: 7
3:26 PM, 23rd June 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Gayle Tregaskis at 21/06/2018 – 09:57
I had 5 properties under Liverpool cc they are heavy handed and the powers toothless with the rogue LLs. Sold one last year, second sale going through and given notice to a third that her rent must go up but expect her to leave. Private landlords are not cash cows and the extra administrative time and regulation is an unnecessary burden.