Croydon yet another area to introduce Selective Licensing

Croydon yet another area to introduce Selective Licensing

11:41 AM, 27th June 2014, About 10 years ago 148

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However, the term “selective licensing” is something of a misnomer in this instance, as the proposal is for it to be borough wide.

The newly elected council’s objective seems not to be to tackle anti social behavior (and they can hardly claim lack of demand in a London borough with excellent transport links which is a major business centre in its own right) but to bring up the standard of privately rented accommodation and tackle rogue landlords. However, the DCLG will only allow councils to introduce SL if one or both of these conditions are met… Thus the ASB fig leaf, even though they themselves admit ASB is actually going down in the borough…

We all know about the somewhat prohibitive charges, payable upfront, but after a long phone conversation today with Chris Wright of Twinpier who advises on licensing issues as a sideline, I learned about some not only unreasonable, but downright ridiculous conditions some councils expect landlords to meet, such as not allowing a tenant to park a trade vehicle next to or near the property; providing printed appliance manuals – in the tenant’s native language, however obscure.

Landlords are also subject to fines for their tenants’ anti social behavior e.g. leaving a sofa in the front garden for a few days before it can be taken away for disposal, but at the same time, increasing the notice period to visit property from the standard 24 hours to 7 days…

Many thanks

MandyCroydon


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Comments

David Lawrenson

11:29 AM, 8th August 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mandy Thomson" at "08/08/2014 - 11:17":

You are right Mandy.

What is often the case is that whilst the ex-council employee turned consultant incumbent will always have had some experience in housing, they often have had no specific experience at all of the private rented sector.

But as I said, in many councils there is often a bit of a closed shop mentality and a desire to look after one's own combined with a need to have someone external write a report to rubber stamp a decision that's already beeen made. (The latter is of course, not new in consultancy - many a consultant will be paid to borrow the client's watch to tell the client the time - and if I am working for a private firm, I will happily take such work, as long as my report still maintains fact and impartiality. However, when it is public money that is paying my fee, I will not work under such constraints).

I am not saying this is what has happened here, but I do know that this kind of thing goes on at some Town Halls - and it's impossible to make it known publicly.

chris wright

8:17 AM, 13th August 2014, About 10 years ago

David - your comments expose the nature of "consultation" quite vividly, thanks for sharing.

David Lawrenson

12:17 PM, 13th August 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "chris wright" at "13/08/2014 - 08:17":

There is an NLA meeting at Southwark Council 515pm, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 on 4th September at which Southwark will, I understand, be presenting why they think landlord licensing is need in the borough.

Not sure if open to all landlords. A quick check by anyone interested would give the answer.

Mandy Thomson

13:04 PM, 13th August 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "David Lawrenson" at "13/08/2014 - 12:17":

Thanks, David.

It states on the NLA site that "Booking is not required for this meeting, please register at the door." I'd infer from that that anyone can attend on a first come first serve basis. It then goes on to say that card carrying NLA members will be fast tracked in.

Given that their SL scheme is only at consultation stage, the wording on the selective licensing item is interesting - "...how the proposed scheme will affect landlords and tenants across the borough." not WOULD affect... Says it all really!

Mandy Thomson

13:19 PM, 13th August 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mandy Thomson" at "13/08/2014 - 13:04":

Further to this, there is a NLA meeting to discuss Selective Licensing in Croydon - the event is free to attend and open no non NLA members:

Thursday 25 September - opens 6:30pm for registration, meeting from 7:00 - 8:30pm at Imperial Conference and Banqueting Centre, Hampton by Hilton Croydon, 29/30 Dingwall Road, Croydon CR0 2NB

David Lawrenson

13:40 PM, 13th August 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mandy Thomson" at "13/08/2014 - 13:04":

Yes, that is a fair assessment... you can kind of see from the wording that minds have been made up already.
I'm pretty sure that the the meeting should be open to all landlords, but do check with Southwark first,

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

11:07 AM, 16th August 2014, About 10 years ago

Oldham are at it now too - see new thread >>> http://www.property118.com/oldham-selective-licensing/67830/
.

John Daley

15:11 PM, 22nd August 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi,

To update everyone with the current situation with regards Southwark's Licensing proposal. The Consultation Paper is likely to be signed off in the second week of September and consultation will begin shortly after. I will post all the documents here for anyone to read and comment on as soon as they are made public.

No cynical conspiracies, it is quite simply delayed due to holiday comiitments.

I suggest we start Southwark Licensing then as a new thread to keep it focused on this proposal alone.

chris wright

15:18 PM, 22nd August 2014, About 10 years ago

if you spot any conspiracies let us know - please post up the info when it's released, it remains to be seen if that info will answer any of the questions posted up on the thread previously but feel free to answer what you can if you're allowed to etc.

John Daley

15:44 PM, 22nd August 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi Chris,

My objective is to conduct the best consultation possible on the proposal. I am happy to be disagreed with but not to be trolled or have my integrity questioned by people trying to stick a crowbar into every word I post here. Given that this forum might be described, charitably, as a hostile audience for licensing I am quite clear that I am not going to win many hearts and minds with this.

My position is a bit difficult as I have until recently been posting here in a private capacity stating my own views. Having been 'outed' it now seems that I have to respond to every word ever written by or about Southwark. I don't mind responding to the licensing proposal that I have drafted and take responsibility for but I can't be held to account for everything.

For example Mandy's post about the NLA meeting at Southwark, which was written by the NLA without any input from me at all. Somehow those statements from the NLA are now evidence of our intentions with our consultation.

I really think this website is a valuable resource and I applaud Mark for spending the time and resources to keep it going. There is no doubt that the advice given out here, in amongst the static, is hugely valuable. One reason why I have stuck with it whilst working on something I knew would be unpopular.

Likewise I think there needs to be more debate and thought about the future of the sector. There is a lot of intemperate language and prejudice on every side and I think it's actually getting worse as Government at every level seeks to become more involved in the sector.

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