Manchester rolls out next wave of selective licensing schemes

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Five more selective licensing schemes have opened in Manchester, covering 700 private sector homes.

Landlords in four new areas will now need to apply for a licence, in Levenshulme: Matthews Lane, Longsight: The Royals, Moss Side & Whalley Range: Claremont Road/Great Western Street/Bowes Street, and Rusholme: Birch Lane, Off Laindon Road and Dickenson Road. An early bird discount is available until 8th August.  

The new designations follow a public consultation last October. According to the council, potential schemes in Cheetham will need further investigation and it has promised to review the case for including this area in a future phase following further consultation.  

Four schemes

Four schemes already operate in the city, in The Ladders – Gorton and Abbey Hey, Hyde Road – Gorton and Abbey Hey, Trinity – Harpurhey and Ben Street area – Clayton and Openshaw.  

The council reports that 1,887 properties have been fully licensed since 2017, with 677 compliance inspections carried out; 82 properties were non-compliant and enforcement action has included 21 civil penalty notices totalling fines of £115,299.

Significant improvements

There are about 90,000 private rented homes in Manchester, 38% of the city’s housing supply, says councillor Gavin White, executive member for housing and employment, who adds that without intervention to tackle housing issues, it wouldn’t see long-term significant improvements. “This is where selective licensing is proving impactful, and our residents are seeing tangible improvements in their homes,” explains White.

“Of course, we know that the majority of landlords take their responsibilities seriously and work hard to provide a safe and well-managed property. But it is important that we work to tackle those landlords who seem willing to put their tenants’ safety at risk.”  

A new devolution deal was agreed by the government earlier this year to give the 10 Greater Manchester councils powers to approve larger selective licensing schemes.

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