Tenants urged to check homes are licensed

More than half of the estimated 9,000 PRS homes in Blackpool’s latest selective licensing area have now been registered, with landlords who haven’t done so facing the prospect of fines or prosecution.

The scheme, covering eight wards, has been in place for almost a year.

It requires a £772 licence and, so far, 30% of licensed properties meet the higher Blackpool Standard for property management which comes with a discount.

Now, the council is urging tenants to ask whether their home is licensed, and whether it meets the higher management standard.

The Blackpool Standard

The council’s cabinet member for community safety, Cllr Paula Burdess, said: “People deserve better housing. There are clear links between poor quality private rented accommodation and deprivation.

“While we know that a great many landlords in our town provide a decent standard of housing for residents, as evidenced in the hundreds of homes which meet our high Blackpool Standard.

“But there are still many people living in poor housing.”

She added: “Tenants can ask their landlords if their home has been licensed, and if it meets the higher Blackpool Standard.

“By working together, we can improve homes, neighbourhoods and outcomes for all.”

EPC rating discount

Elsewhere, half of landlords secured a fee reduction by having an EPC rating of C or above.

In the licensing areas, landlords must meet conditions covering property standards, tenancy management, fire safety and action on anti-social behaviour.

Discounted fees are also available for homes meeting the Blackpool Standard or achieving an EPC rating of C or higher.

The Blackpool Standard requires landlords to provide documentation such as repair procedures and anti-social behaviour policies.