Council plans new licensing scheme for rented homes

A new licensing scheme covering 5,000 rented properties will improve housing conditions, councillors in a Norfolk town are being advised.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council said a selective licensing scheme, if agreed at a meeting on 3 June, would cover the Nelson, Cobholm and Southtown, and Central and Northgate wards.

It would replace a previous scheme that covered 1,500 properties, which private-sector landlords criticised as being costly and of little effect.

Councillor Paul Wells, portfolio holder for licensing, said: '''We know some privately rented properties are in a poor condition and we are determined to try to improve standards.''

The council said it carried out a feasibility study which included data about demographics and the condition of rental accommodation in the borough.

Officers said the initial scheme led to considerable improvements and helped the landlords understand their responsibilities and "what good property management looks like".

If introduced, the scheme - which would include 60% of the borough's private-rented housing - would not be allowed to make a profit. Running costs would be covered by a proposed licence fee of £784 for landlords.

Paul Cunningham, chairman of the Eastern Landlords Association said: "I have brought this to the attention of the MP to say this is a pointless exercise.

"It is another way of Great Yarmouth Borough Council alienating landlords. Of all the local authorities I work with GYBC is the most difficult to deal with. They are anti-landlord and are the only council in Norfolk to look at selective licensing.

"The cost will be ed on to tenants and therefore the rents will be increase and more and more landlords will sell.

"There is already a lack of landlords across the area and country, and this will make housing asylum seekers look more attractive."

Mr Wells added: ''Generally, we have responsible landlords, but not everyone has a home that is safe, warm and good quality. This scheme would mean landlords must comply with a number of licence conditions.

"Bad housing has a detrimental impact on the lives of people and our residents deserve better where there are problems."

He added: ''We already have some powers related to housing, but this scheme will allow us to more effectively deal with a range of issues that impact people.

"We will be better able to tackle health hazards and overcrowding – which is a real problem for some of our residents.

''We would be able to systematically inspect properties to make sure things like gas and electric certification are up to date, rather than simply reacting to complaints as we currently do.

''Where necessary, we could refuse to issue a licence and hold people able.''

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