It has just been announced by Milton Keynes city council that it is no longer going ahead with an overall landlord licensing scheme and that it intends to reduce costs on its present HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) licensing scheme.

Across the country councils are using ant-social behaviour to squarely place the blame upon private sector landlords for apparently not keeping their tenants under control, therefore imposing an overall licensing scheme upon the sector.

The cost that Milton Keynes they were considering to levy on the overall landlord licensing scheme was approximately £900, however they did not forecast the backlash from the landlords in their condemnation of such a fee.

Common sense prevailed and the licensing scheme was dropped, it was even more of a "Red Letter Day" when they also announced that the current price of the licensing fee on all HMOs was to be reduced by £500, from £800 to just £300.

 

A spokesman from a landlord organisation said: "Selective licensing is a powerful tool at the disposal of local authorities but it should only be used when appropriate.

"The clear message from Milton Keynes is that they intend to take a more proactive stance and focus on the existing powers they have available to combat poor standards".