Leicester City Council has just announced its selective licensing scheme is now going to be rolled out across three new areas in the city to ‘target’ ‘rogue’ landlords.

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The three new ‘selected’ areas make up around 20 per cent of Leicester’s geographical area and is roughly the same proportion of PRS homes in the city. Apparently the extension of the scheme is for areas where there is ‘evidence’ of continual issues associated with rogue landlords and tenants, and will spread the council’s mandatory powers to tackle those issues.

The council’s announcement of the extension to its exiting selective licensing scheme was decided upon following a three month consultation with the public between November 2021 to February 2022. 1,100 people took part and sent in comments on various options listed in the consultation.

Elly Cutkelvin the Leicester assistant city mayor for housing, says: “For many a private rented tenancy is the only chance of a decent home including for an increasing number of families. The need for good quality, affordable housing has never been greater.

“Ultimately we find some of the worst conditions in the private rented sector and in areas where there is a high concentration of poorly managed properties, community concerns arise that lead to a decline, or feeling of decline, within an area.

“We are committed to working with and supporting landlords and tenants to improve the quality of private-sector rented housing in the city and protecting the most vulnerable people by ensuring their housing and their landlords meet a higher standard in terms of management and safety.

“Supported by a robust enforcement policy, actions to improve standards in the private rented sector encourage sustainable communities and promotes good health and wellbeing.”

The extended scheme will start from October and will initially run for five years.

Although the licence will cost £1,090 per property the council will offer a range of discounts for landlords with multiple properties, early applications, good energy efficiency and charitable organisations.