Feb

Durham is latest council to introduce huge new selective licensing scheme

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Landlords now have five weeks to let the council know their views on the schemes which will cover 65% of the county and 51,000 private rented properties.

Landlords are being given the chance to share
their views on a proposed large-scale selective licensing scheme across County
Durham.

Covering
43 of its 66 areas – 65% of the county – it would include 51,000 private rented
properties, as part of the county council’s bid to crack down on anti-social
behaviour, low demand and deprivation.

Durham County Council has already run three
selective licensing schemes in Dean Bank, Ferryhill, Chilton West and Wembley
in Easington Colliery, that ended in 2019.

It says
these made a positive impact, with a drop in reported crime and anti-social
behaviour and positive improvements in both the condition and management of
private rented properties.

It
hopes the new five-year scheme will prompt better managed and maintained
housing through the scheme and result in fewer empty properties, improve the
health and wellbeing of tenants and reduce anti-social behaviour, while
providing support and training to landlords.

Councillor
Kevin Shaw, cabinet member for strategic housing and assets, says: “Through the
selective licensing scheme, we will be able to work closely with landlords to
provide information, advice, guidance and tenancy support.

“We
will also be able to work with tenants themselves to help improve the standards
of housing and with our communities to reduce anti-social behaviour.”

This proposed areas include:
Consett West and Castleside, Hutton Henry and Wingate, Langley Park, Cornsay
and Satley, Crook South and Willington North and Cassop and Coxhoe. A council
consultation ends on 27^th April.

Find out more
from the council website.

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