London council to expand its selective licensing scheme
1 year ago | 9 comments
Council inspects 500 PRS homes – and finds 2,000 issues
12:06 AM, 13th November 2024, 1 year ago
18
A council that launched its selective licensing scheme for private rented sector homes in March claims to have inspected 500 properties since – and found 2,000 issues.
It says it is now big strides in improving PRS housing standards.
Peterborough City Council says that despite initial landlord reservations, more than 7,000 licence applications have been received.
The selective licensing scheme involves inspections of licensed properties, and the council says it has uncovered issues of severe damp, mould, faulty and missing smoke detectors.
Inspectors also found inadequate ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms, the absence of window restrictors, and damaged ceiling and wall plaster.
Selective licensing scheme
Peterborough’s cabinet member for housing and communities, Councillor Alison Jones, said: “I’m delighted that the selective licensing scheme is continuing to make good progress and is already playing a key role in our aim of improving private rental housing in Peterborough, which in turn will help us create strong and sustainable communities.
“The fact that more than 2,000 issues have already been identified demonstrates that there was a clear need for selective licensing to be introduced.”
She adds: “I would like to thank those landlords who have joined the scheme and are working with us to improve standards.”
Improving housing standards
The council is working with a direct delivery partner called Home Safe and its scheme manager, Mike Brook, said: “We’re pleased with the impact the scheme is already having on improving housing standards.
“With over 500 inspections carried out on licensed properties, we are uncovering serious issues that could have otherwise gone unreported.
“By working closely with landlords to address these concerns, we’re now seeing noticeable improvements in the safety of many tenants’ homes.”
On track to issue all licences
The council says it is on track to issue all licences for valid applications by December.
It also says that to ensure compliance with safety and living standards, each licensed property will undergo two inspections over the five-year period of the licensing scheme.
The Selective Licensing team is now working with landlords to address the problems and improve living conditions for tenants in the affected properties.
The council is urging remaining landlords in the designated areas to apply for licences to avoid potential penalties of up to £30,000 or unlimited fines.
Tags:
housing standards, landlord, Peterborough, private rental housing, property inspections, Selective Licensing, tenant safety
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Member Since May 2021 - Comments: 389
12:18 PM, 13th November 2024, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Vibha Spal at 13/11/2024 – 09:58
I think I’d have told them the house is riddled with damp & mould in fact the tenant is at deaths door with it OH WAIT…THATS THE COUNCIL HOUSE NEXT DOOR !
Member Since May 2021 - Comments: 389
12:20 PM, 13th November 2024, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Paul Essex at 13/11/2024 – 11:35
I wouldn’t know what this is.
Member Since January 2016 - Comments: 50 - Articles: 1
9:34 AM, 14th November 2024, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Tim Rogers at 13/11/2024 – 11:47
For what its worth or not worth (and I suspect that one) it written into legislation these licencing schemes cant be diverted into other things. But as your maths suggest the opposite must surely be the case unless they are are paying very silly salaries which is doubtful
Member Since October 2024 - Comments: 1
9:49 PM, 14th November 2024, About 1 year ago
How many council home they inspected and how many issues they found.
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 192
10:14 AM, 16th November 2024, About 1 year ago
In reply to Tim !
Your missing out on the fines the council will now impose on Landlords for not having a ” Perfect property ”
Reading about the number of Local councils and Housing associations who are failing to carry out repairs and have major issues with not only cold and damp, mould and poor insulation but serious health risks such as asbestos in tenants homes.
While also Evicting more tenants this year than private landlords with a smaller percentage of properties compared to private landlords
Landlords are selling up but please don’t tell the housing monister
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2188 - Articles: 2
11:03 AM, 16th November 2024, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by DAMIEN RAFFERTY at 16/11/2024 – 10:14
“monister”, did you mean Minister or Monster? I think the latter may be the more appropriate term.
Member Since November 2017 - Comments: 261
11:26 AM, 16th November 2024, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Sam B at 14/11/2024 – 09:34
I thought the legislation ringfenced the money, but has anyone actually found the relevant section? Even if it exists, its probably written in such a way that there are multiple interpretations.
I’m not aware of anyone taking a council to court over breaking this and I would have expected someone to by now, if it’s in the legislation.
Member Since January 2016 - Comments: 50 - Articles: 1
1:21 PM, 20th November 2024, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Tim Rogers at 16/11/2024 – 11:26
Hi Tim, You will be surprised to find that there really is a provision in the legislation, having seen it! Also the provision seems straight forward so no interpretation issues either. Unfortunately it was some years ago I saw it and so can’t find it at a moments notice.