Nottingham City Council's Executive Board to decide on submitting new selective licensing scheme proposal to Secretary of State
The new selective licensing scheme proposals went out for public consultation in May 2022 and will require PRS landlords to get a licence showing they and their properties meet required housing standards.
This new selective licensing scheme will be slightly smaller than its previous iteration but will cover some new areas not covered by the previous scheme. The council says that "it will give the council resource and powers to safeguard tenants and hold non-compliant landlords to account" and will enable the council to carry on "the important work it has already been carrying out as part of the current scheme". If approved by the Secretary of State, the new scheme's estimated start date is August 2023.
The new scheme will be considered for approval based on four factors:
- Significant or persistent problems caused by anti-social behaviour
- Poor property conditions
- High levels of deprivation
- High levels of crime
The council stresses that the new scheme would enable them to support landlords in ensuring their properties meet required housing and housing management standards and also "tackle key issues, as well as supporting the overall health and well being of tenants due to improved housing conditions".
Additionally, the council is keen to point out that they do not believe the new licensing scheme will lead to landlords increasing their rent charged to tenants to cover the cost of licence application fees. It says "Most landlords in the city, who already have a housing licence, would be aware of licensing, so a new licence should be factored into their business plan and any previous increase in rents that they may have made, should cover a new licence fee".
Cllr. Toby Neal, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Human Resources, recognised that many of the 45,000 PRS properties in Nottingham were well managed by their landlords but added "as part of the first scheme we still find properties that are to a very poor standard. Homes with damp and mould, homes with no smoke alarms or hot water or heating; so there is more work to be done". He also said that the first licensing scheme had been welcomed by residents.
The council's Executive Board is scheduled to meet week commencing 16th January 2023 to discuss submitting the proposal to the Secretary of State for final approval.
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