5th
Jan 2021
A landlord has slammed his council’s selective licensing scheme, claiming it is “bureaucracy for bureaucracy’s sake” and is simply a means to adding to its coffers.
South Tyneside council’s scheme is due to be rolled out in two designated areas in South Shields, claiming it will improve housing standards.
The council will charge landlords a mandatory fee of £550 per property for a five year licence, failure to be awarded a licence will mean that landlord will be unable to operate.
However the council’s staunch critic Colin Campbell, chair of a local association, told The Shields Gazette along with the council that the licence is basically a “money-making exercise.”
He backs up his views by stating that there is sufficient legislation already in place to improve housing standards and many landlords who could face being penalised by the scheme, have already paid to register with the council and adhere to the latest up to date regulations.
Campbell also states that many rogue landlords have not registered with the council and will already be operating within ‘the housing black economy’ to avoid having to pay any fees and undermining the scheme.
Campbell told the paper: “Selective licensing is bringing good landlords down for no reason; it’s bureaucracy for bureaucracy’s sake.”
A council spokesman says: “The private rented sector plays an important role in South Tyneside’s housing market, but some areas present challenges where properties have been subject to neglect, leading to increased anti-social behaviour, general area decline and a high turnover of tenancies.
“The introduction of selective licensing in these areas provides the council with an opportunity to drive up standards and reduce turnover in some of the worst privately-rented accommodation.
“It will enable the council to engage with and provide additional focused support to landlords and tenants within those areas and work towards a more desirable and sustainable housing environment.
“The scheme will be self-financing and non-profit-making over the five-year-period, with the fees covering the cost of the additional resources required to make the desired improvements to the area.
“Officers will be proactive in identifying tenanted accommodation and engaging with landlords to pursue payment throughout the period of the scheme.
“Any income generated will be used for the running of the scheme or improvements in the licensed areas.”
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