Council consults over expansion of selective licensing scheme

Landlords and residents are being invited to participate in a public consultation on the potential introduction of a new selective licensing scheme for homes in the private rented sector (PRS).

Leeds City Council says it wants to expand licensing to Armley, Beeston & Holbeck, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, Gipton and Harehills, along with the Hunslet and Riverside council wards.

Under the proposed scheme, all private landlords would be required to obtain a license for any residential property they rent out in the designated area.

License conditions would include ensuring the safety of gas and electric appliances, providing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and maintaining the property in a decent state of repair.

Key source of housing in Leeds

Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, Councillor Jess Lennox, said: “Privately rented properties are a key source of housing in Leeds and it’s vitally important that they are safe, warm and well managed places to live.

“We want to explore options for protecting and improving the quality of every type of home in our city, with the newly launched consultation on selective licensing forming part of that work.”

The consultation is open to landlords, tenants and other stakeholders until December 13 and interested parties can share their thoughts on the proposed scheme and its potential impact on the city.

Existing selective licensing schemes

The existing selective licensing schemes in Beeston and Harehills have resulted in positive outcomes, the council claims, including more than 1,500 properties which needed improvement work.

There were also more than 1,700 referrals to partner agencies for tenant support for issues including health, financial and other challenges.

Those schemes end next year and a decision on whether to implement the new selective licensing in East, South and West Leeds scheme is expected in the first half of 2025.