NEW: Council to reject voluntary landlord register and begin selective licensing

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Landlords in Middlesborough have so far failed to convince their local council that a landlord-led membership scheme is a viable alternative to selective licensing.

Private Landlords Supporting Stockton (PLuSS) was set up in 2019 and managed by the local authority with the aim of creating a register and code of conduct to improve standards within the borough.

To date, 149 landlords have signed up, with 93 of them owning 612 properties within central Stockton and North Thornaby.

Little knowledge

A council report says this equates to about 40% of properties which would have been included in a proposed 2018 selective licensing scheme.  No new applications have been received since January.

It adds that its experience of working with the scheme was “mixed” and while a significant number of members operated in a professional manner with good procedures and policies, there were still examples of individual landlords with little knowledge of their legal responsibilities.

The council postponed a decision until last year but has now decided to look at selective licensing again in Central Stockton, North Thornaby and Newtown – where 61% of properties are privately rented – with another report due by summer 2023.

A further consultation is planned next year, and the scheme could start in spring 2024.

Councillor Nigel Cooke (pictured), cabinet member for regeneration and housing, says: “While the majority of private rental properties are well maintained and managed, sadly those which fall short of expectations can bring with them a range of challenges that blight communities.

“We want to take a robust stance on improving standards in the sector that will benefit landlords, residents and the wider local community and we believe these proposals will help us to do that.”

Read more stories about selective licensing.

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