New Controls On Rented Homes Through Licensing Schemes Are ‘Illegal’

The Court of Appeal has ruled that councils cannot use selective licensing conditions to impose new standards on private rented homes. Paul Brown, a landlord in Accrington, and the RLA argued that rather than relying on licensing schemes which only cover certain properties, electrical and gas safety issues are best addressed by councils using the extensive powers they already have under the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). This is the risk-based evaluation tool to help local authorities identify and protect against potential risks and hazards to health and safety from any deficiencies identified in dwellings. It applies to all private rented homes, whether they require a licence or not. Read more on 24housing.

http://www.24housing.co.uk/news/new-controls-on-rented-homes-through-licensing-schemes-are-illegal/

Government Backs One Of UK's Largest Selective Licensing Schemes

The government has given the go ahead to what will be one of the UK’s largest selective licensing scheme outside of London. Letting Agent Today has previously reported that Nottingham was getting tough with unauthorised To Let boards; now it seems the council also has the powers to introduce mandatory licenses for landlords of around 31,000 private rental units within its boundaries.  This constitutes around 90 per cent of all privately rented homes within the city. Money raised through the scheme will help to cover the cost and the council says it hopes to be able to introduce the scheme from summer this year. Read more on Letting Agent Today.

https://www.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2018/2/government-green-light-for-biggest-selective-licensing-scheme-outside-london

Council’s Selective Licensing Renewal Approved

Newham Council’s application to renew its borough-wide selective licensing scheme has been approved by the Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid MP. The Council has confirmed the approval in its publication of the Designation of an area for Selective Licensing. Any privately rented property within the designated area, that is not already covered by mandatory HMO licensing or the additional HMO licensing scheme, will need to be licensed. Earlier this year Newham Council consulted on plans to renew their borough-wide selective licensing scheme, and subsequently agreed to go ahead with the renewal in June. You can read the NLA's response to that consultation here. Read more on the NLA website.

Council’s Rogue Landlords Scheme 'Has Teeth'

Three ‘rogue’ landlords have to pay over £4,000 in fines and costs for not signing up to a selective licensing scheme - having ignored council letters urging them to comply. Oldham Council successfully prosecuted the three to show its scheme - introduced last year to improve the management of properties and flush out rogue landlords and irresponsible tenants - has teeth. The council made it a criminal offence to operate a privately rented property without a licence in eight specified areas of the town. Under the scheme a landlord will also commit a criminal offence if they fail to comply with any of the conditions of a licence granted to them. Read more on 24dash.

Council to License All Private Rented Homes

Landlords and letting agents operating in Croydon are being warned they have three months to get their properties licensed or face possible legal action, following a decision by Croydon Council to roll out borough-wide selective licensing. The selective licensing scheme, which is expected to cover about 30,000 private rented homes, will come into force on 1 October 2015. The scheme will last for five years.  The new selective licensing scheme, known locally as the ‘Croydon Private Rented Property Licence’ (CPRPL), will extend licensing to almost every house or flat let out to an individual, couple or single household anywhere in the borough. There are very few statutory exemptions. Read more on the London Property Licensing website.

Govt Plans Could Prevent Selective Landlord Licensing By Councils

Councils in the UK could be prevented from introducing selective licensing for private sector landlords unless there are specific reasons for doing so. The CLG believes that for an area to be designated as subject to selective licensing it must contain a high proportion of properties in the private rented sector, in relation to the total housing accommodation in that area. It has announced proposals that would mean that if an area has one or more of four specific conditions, the authority may consider introducing licensing. Read more on the Property Wire website.