What the Council wants to achieve
Without Selective Licensing the Council only becomes aware of issues where residents complain, and a reactive response is delivered. In areas where residents are nervous about complaining, perhaps fearing a negative reaction from their landlord, resulting in them losing their homes, poor conditions can be masked.
Through Selective Licensing we can pro-actively ensure that private rented housing meets the minimum legal standards and that landlords manage properties properly. We can also ensure landlords play their part in helping improve the local environment by tackling tenants who cause problems with accumulations of waste and nuisance, supported by the use of tenancy agreements and enforcement tools.
This ensures homes are safe and healthy for tenants and areas improve for the benefit of residents and investors. Selective Licensing can improve the management of privately rented properties and contribute positively to improving neighbourhoods.
This in turn aims to:
- make the area more attractive to residents
- encourage people to stay in the area for longer
- cut the length of time houses are empty
- increase property values as the area improves
- reduce crime and antisocial behaviour
- increase the professionalism with which privately rented properties are managed
- increase the demand for properties in the area
- improve sustainability within the area
Selective Licensing is supporting the wider Council goals and policies to improve private sector housing, reduce homelessness, reduce antisocial behaviour and to ensure local neighbourhoods thrive.