Selective licensing gets approval from the Government

Housing

A new licensing scheme drawn up by Peterborough City Council which will tackle rogue landlords has been given the go-ahead by the Government.

Selective licensing will be introduced in parts of the city where there are high levels of privately rented accommodation.

All private landlordswith residential property in the designated areas now have until December 1, when the scheme is introduced, to apply for a licence for each of their properties. Failure to do so would result in enforcement action being taken which could lead to an unlimited fine.

Selective licensing will apply in the following wards: Central, North, Park, East, Fletton, Woodston, Stanground Central, Bretton North and part of Orton Longueville.

Councillor Irene Walsh, cabinet member for communities and environment capital at the council, said: “The introduction of selec- tive licensing will allow us to have a moreactive role in ensuring all private tenants are able to live in housing that is safe, ofhighstandard, appropriately managed and offers appropriate tenancy protection.”

Landlords who apply for their licences between September 1, 2016 and November 30, 2016 will be charged £50 for a licence per dwelling if they are accredited with a nationally recognised organisation or if the property is managed through an agent registered with the Association of Residential Letting Agents.

Landlords without accreditation will be charged £600 per property for a single let property or £750 for a house in multiple occupation. Landlords who fail to register their property by December 1 will be charged £900.

Licence holders found to be in breach of the licence conditions could face a fine of up to £5,000 if successfully prosecuted.