Government gives Midlands’ mammoth selective licensing scheme the go-ahead

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The UK’s biggest selective licensing scheme has been given the green light in Birmingham covering between 40,000 and 50,000 properties.

The city council had approved the scheme in March, covering 25 wards including North Edgbaston, South Yardley and Sparkhill where there are high levels of deprivation and/or crime, but needed permission from the government because of its size. Landlords will now have to pay £700 for a licence from 5th June, generating an income of £28 million for the authority.

Poorest wards

Councillor Sharon Thompson, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, says it will create 130 new jobs to deliver the scheme. “We want to ensure that private properties in our poorest wards are providing fit and proper accommodation and that landlords are adhering to their legal responsibilities,” she adds. “While many already do, the introduction of licence conditions that cover a range of issues including waste bins, references and tackling anti-social behaviour will ensure the council is in a position to engage and regulate this sector appropriately.”
 
Through the scheme, Birmingham aims to join up with other services such as the police to tackle high levels of crime in the 25 wards.

Flyer drop

The council carried out a large consultation before making the decision, including a flyer drop in all 125,000 properties in the 25 wards. It gathered 800 responses, with “significant support” from residents and businesses however, 77% of landlords and managing agents disagreed with the proposals.

Birmingham Council has recently finished consulting on an additional licensing scheme across the city that would include 12,000 properties in all 69 wards, which if approved, would launch on 1st April.

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