Jul

LATEST: Landlord group picks apart council’s selective licensing plan claims

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Gedling is going ahead with plans to extend its selective licensing scheme despite not issuing a single improvement notice in the new areas during a four-year period.

The Nottinghamshire council points to the success of its scheme in Netherfield for its decision to move licensing into parts of Colwick, Carlton Hill, Daybrook and Newstead Village (pictured).

However, landlord group EMPO was surprised by the findings of its Freedom of Information request, looking at improvement notices during 2017-2020, particularly as the council believes the scheme will help solve anti-social behaviour such as drug-dealing and quad-bike riding in these areas.

The council also reports that of the 400 private rented properties inspected in Netherfield, 78% needed remedial works to bring them up to the minimum legal safety standard and protect the health and safety of tenants.

Business development manager Giles Inman says its query about this high percentage failed to yield any more details.

“We asked them what the hazards were, but they didn’t have that information,” he tells LandlordZONE.

“It’s disappointing and wasn’t a convincing argument. It also doesn’t help engagement and gives us the impression that it’s a money-making exercise.”

Bad timing

EMPO believes the scheme comes at a particularly bad time during the cost of living crisis as licence fees – ranging from £585 to £700 for each of the 664 properties covered – will inevitably be passed on to tenants.

“We also asked them where the resources would come from to deal with anti-social behaviour but that question also went unanswered,” adds Inman.

At a cabinet meeting, council leader John Clarke said: “We have a duty as a council to our residents. I do not have a problem with this and it will help us with another thorn in our side such as Houses of Multiple Occupancy. It will weed out the ones [landlords] that are not doing their job properly and I think it will save lives.”

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