LATEST: Selective licensing scheme halted over ‘blanket regulation’ fears

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Councillors have welcomed news that a consultation into selective licensing in West Lindsey has been halted amid fears that it would create unfairness among landlords.

The plans, covering Gainsborough South West, Gainsborough North, Hemswell, Market Rasen (pictured) and Wold View, would affect 5,000 properties, and was planned to launch next year.

However, West Lindsey Council admitted that its previous scheme had seen limited success in tackling anti-social behaviour, community safety and crime levels, and the consultation was stopped seven weeks into the 11-week exercise, reports Lincolnshire Live.

Alison Provis, rural surveyor for the Country Land and Business Association, said the group would now seek to ensure that any future proposals fully addressed concerns.

Said Provis: “Introducing a selective licensing scheme that incorporates all landlords in the areas highlighted in this consultation was not the right idea.

Poor quality

“The approach must be to target those landlords who are providing poor quality housing and ensure it is only those properties that face additional charges and requirements.”

A meeting of the council’s prosperous communities committee heard from Councillor Trevor Young who said that forcing all landlords in certain areas to get a licence “creates unfairness” and added: “This is going to take some time and we’re not going to be able to bring in selective licensing for some time if we go through all the right processes.”

Concerns were also raised by Liberal Democrat Councillor Stephen Bunney (pictured), who said that alternatives needed to be considered and that other options for improving property conditions and reducing anti-social behaviour should be presented. Andy Gray, the authority’s housing and environmental enforcement manager, said his team would work to provide a response to the concerns raised.

A progress report is due on 19th July.

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