0:01 AM, 28th May 2025, About 9 months ago
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Peterborough and Mansfield councils are the latest councils to either unveil plans to introduce licensing schemes targeting private rented properties or are implementing them.
In Peterborough, a city-wide additional licensing scheme is under consideration to improve conditions in HMOs.
A public consultation is running until 31 July with the aim of seeking input from tenants, residents, landlords, letting agents and businesses.
Peterborough’s cabinet member for housing and communities, Councillor Alison Jones, said: “We are fully committed to working with partners and landlords to improve accommodation standards across the city.
“This ties in with our key priority of creating strong and sustainable communities, which is vitally important for the wellbeing of Peterborough residents.”
She adds: “Our selective licensing initiative has already proved successful and helped enhance standards of homes in the private rented sector.
“We now want to look at introducing a further similar scheme, focussed at improving conditions in HMOs.”
Peterborough’s proposed scheme would expand the council’s oversight beyond the national mandatory HMO licensing, to include smaller HMOs with three or four occupants from multiple households.
The digital licensing system promises a streamlined application process with free guidance and training videos.
Post-consultation, a report will guide the council’s cabinet in deciding whether to adopt the scheme, which could also support crime reduction and local development strategies, the council claims.
Meanwhile, Mansfield District Council is pushing on with its selective licensing scheme, targeting around 1,200 private rented properties.
Following last year’s consultation, landlords can apply for licences from 12 June, with enforcement starting on 13 September and continuing until 10 September 2030.
The council’s assistant director for housing, Jill Finnesey, said: “This next phase of the selective licensing scheme is a vital step in the council’s mission to improve the quality and safety of housing for residents across Mansfield.
“By working collaboratively with responsible landlords, we aim to ensure that every tenant has access to a well-managed home that meets decent living standards.”
She added: “This scheme gives us the tools to support good practice and take firm action where housing conditions fall short.”
The Mansfield scheme’s standard licence fee is £800 (£500 application, £300 issuing).
Early applications before 12 September receive a £50 discount, and accredited landlords qualify for an additional £100 reduction, lowering the cost to £650.
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