22nd
Jul 2014
Enfield Council's new licensing scheme is proposing to charge landlords £500 for each property for a five year licence and is excusing the exorbitant fee in its fight to cut down anti social behaviour, improve accommodation standards and to take on rogue landlords.
In May the scheme was passed by an overview and scrutiny committee and the attending landlords called ‘Stop Enfield’, were outraged by the decision calling it an absolute disgrace.
Constantinos Regas, who represented the landlords by speaking at the meeting two months ago, is taking the scheme to a judicial review.
Conservative opposition leader Councillor Terry Neville was disappointed no debate took place.
He said; “It is always a matter of concern that a decision made by the council is being considered for judicial review, but it is the right of individuals affected by decisions such as this to challenge them in the courts.
“Although I understand the legal reasons given by the council's lawyers for postponing this debate, I do not agree that they are right.
"The paper featured our belief that the decision to create a landlord licensing scheme was unnecessary due to existing and new measures being put into place by the Conservative-led government to tackle the small minority of rogue landlords.
“The standard of private rented homes is a very big issue as the number of rented properties has increased in recent years in our borough, and it is our belief that the new measures being introduced by the Government, together with the diligent application of the existing law by the council against the minority of bad landlords, would be more effective in tackling the problem. I am keen therefore to debate this matter in the near future.”
It was agreed to adjourn the debate until a decision is made on Regas's challenge for a judicial review.
An Enfield Council spokesman said: “Enfield Council approved the additional selective licensing scheme on April 9, 2014. This decision was affirmed on 30 April by the overview and scrutiny committee.
“The scheme has been introduced to reduce anti-social behaviour in the borough.
“The opposition priority business paper titled tackling abuse in the private rented sector, was submitted by the Opposition for July’s full council meeting before the judicial review claim was issued.
“Following Enfield Council’s receipt of the judicial review claim, the opposition agreed at full council on July 16 to adjourn their paper until the judicial review is disposed of.
“Enfield Council is vigorously defending the judicial review. It would be prejudicial to disclose the details of the council’s defence at this stage.”
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