The licensing scheme went live in October last year with the undiscounted fee set at £1,090 and the council is now reminding private rented sector landlords with properties within the scheme areas that "early bird" fee discounts of 10% will end on 10th April.

However, the council also says that "Since the scheme was launched, more than 700 applications for licences have been submitted, although three quarters of those were missing vital information, meaning a delay in granting the licence while the additional information was handed in".

The council doesn't clarify what "vital information" was missing from these applications but typically such information could include proof of property ownership, gas and electrical safety certificates or energy performance certificates. Thus far, the council has granted over 230 full licences and 97 draft licences.

Home fire safety checks on properties are being carried out "on behalf of" Leicester Fire and Rescue Service and the council adds that in over 90% of cases, applicant landlords have had to carry out works on their properties to resolve disrepair problems that have been highlighted.

The council is putting on a series of drop in sessions for landlords at various venues in the city between 7th and 31st March "to ensure those who have not yet applied have access to the information they need".

Venues, dates and booking details are provided on the council's page and Cllr. Elly Cutkelvin, Leicester Assistant City Mayor for Housing said "The scheme has now been running for four months, and in that time we've already addressed a number of safety issues which landlords needed to sort out ....Landlords who have not yet applied need to do so".

Discounts are also available for charitable organisations, properties with good energy efficiency and landlords with large portfolios.

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