Damning report exposes council’s mishandling of selective licensing fees
2 years ago | 23 comments
Landlord fears ‘prison sentence’ over council’s selective licensing application process
9:13 AM, 14th February 2024, 2 years ago
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One landlord says applying for a selective licence with his council’s online system is a ‘complete waste of money’ which could see him facing a prison sentence and making all of his tenants homeless.
Mick Roberts, one of Nottingham’s largest landlords to house benefit tenants, told Property118 that every time he has tried to apply for a licence online the website is down.
He said so far, he’s only been successful in applying for one licence and the online selective licensing scheme is causing misery for landlords and tenants.
Mr Roberts said: “I am going to prison, getting fined £570,000 and hundreds of tenants will be homeless because Nottingham City Council’s selective licensing website is down again.
“It’s a complete waste of money when we have Universal Credit enhanced reviews to do for tenants.
“What happens if the tenants don’t get paid or is licensing more important to the council?”
It’s not working
Mr Roberts told Property118: “I have 19 houses in the Nottingham area which are covered by selective licensing.
“However, I have only got one done as every time I try to do it on the website it’s not working. I tried again this week and when I did the page it failed 30 minutes in.”
Mr Roberts says the council needs to think of a better system.
He explains: “You would think the council would design it so that we could do all our houses in one go at the same time. They’d get in more money and licenses quicker.
“Instead, I have to do all houses individually even though 98% of the questions are just repeating the same thing. Why do I have to submit my driving license 19 times for each house?”
Previously, a Property118 investigation revealed the alarming figures of homelessness in Nottingham with selective licensing being blamed.
That came after Shelter revealed that 2,700 people across Nottinghamshire were facing homelessness last Christmas – including 1,340 children who are stuck in temporary accommodation such as B&Bs.
When approached by Propery118, regarding the selective licensing online system Nottingham City Council did not comment.
Tags:
council regulations, Nottingham City Council, property licensing issues, Selective Licensing, Universal Credit
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Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3248 - Articles: 81
2:21 PM, 14th February 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 14/02/2024 – 12:18
U smarter than me Chris-I think even u would give up complaining to Nottingham City Council. Complaints dept purposely confuse you & I’ve even had em lie to the LGO with my evidence & LGO din’t do anything about it.
We got ’em to bring in paper route 2018 & I ain’t doing ruddy paper.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3248 - Articles: 81
2:22 PM, 14th February 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Simon F at 14/02/2024 – 12:28
Formal complaints to this council are pointless. They never admit to anything.
But I will use your words thanks in my reply email to them soon.
Do your HMO words apply to normal houses Selective Licensing?
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3248 - Articles: 81
2:22 PM, 14th February 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by TheBiggerPicture at 14/02/2024 – 13:01
They’ve offered no formal extension.
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 199
2:30 PM, 14th February 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 14/02/2024 – 14:22
I mean all of Mandatory HMO, Additional HMO and Selective licencing schemes.
Complaints don’t get a result, but generates documentary evidence that you were making a reasonable effort to comply with the scheme but stymied by the council’s ineptitude and that you informed them of this in the appropriate way – which may well come in handy later if they try to take legal action against you, or you need to make a case at Tribunal,
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1575 - Articles: 16
2:53 PM, 14th February 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Simon F at 14/02/2024 – 14:30
We’ve represented landlords successfully at Tribunal ( and brought civil claims against L.A’s )
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
3:41 PM, 14th February 2024, About 2 years ago
As an ex-computer programmer (of 30+ years), I can honestly say its probably only you that is having the issue and no one else. Its is unlikely that there is a bug in the software code. It is your fault.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3538 - Articles: 5
4:14 PM, 14th February 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Simon F at 14/02/2024 – 14:05
Bham bought the package from a company who used it for registering SL applications in another area. (the company who has a mate at the council no doubt…)
Typical Bham – through money at buying a system asap just so you can start getting cash in…. but it is bloody useless from a user perspective.
Perhaps this is the game though? That way they can still blame you for not applying and then go at you for having no licence as a result? Double win?
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3248 - Articles: 81
6:57 AM, 15th February 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Simon F at 14/02/2024 – 14:30
Thanks
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3248 - Articles: 81
6:57 AM, 15th February 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 14/02/2024 – 14:53
Lets have em Chris. Let’s take em tribunal now to say We’re trying to License, but can’t.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3248 - Articles: 81
6:59 AM, 15th February 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 14/02/2024 – 15:41
Ha ha yes I gather the Council would & has replied similar. However, I have several Landlord colleagues that has suffered same fate. My mate used to design their website & says it’s awful & could be changed so easily certain aspects.