Luke Myer, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, is pushing for the introduction of a selective licensing scheme aimed at addressing persistent crime and anti-social behaviour in the area. 

The proposal seeks to give local authorities stronger tools to hold landlords accountable and improve housing standards across affected communities.

Their s calls intensify for tougher measures against rogue landlords in East Cleveland, Teesside Live readers have joined the chorus, expressing frustration over rising crime and antisocial behaviour.

In Brotton, local councillor Barry Hunt has spoken out about ongoing disturbances in his ward, he said "It’s just a certain few [tenants] that are causing the bother and we are getting a bit fed up. If a landlord has someone in a property that is continually abusing the situation, they should be held responsible — they are getting the money every week."

Luke Meyer the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP raised the major problem in Parliament. He pointed the finger at "irresponsible landlords" who were "dumping dodgy tenants" in across the area and called for a ‘must’ selective licensing to help "restore order."

Selective licensing, already implemented in parts of Middlesbrough and Stockton, compels landlords to register their rental properties, comply with safety regulations, and play a more active role in managing tenant conduct.

But not everyone supports the idea. Guisborough-based letting agent Alistair Oswin argued that existing regulations are sufficient, but enforcement is lacking. He said: "Housing associations must also be held accountable. From my perspective, selective licensing is a cash cow for local authorities. It drives landlords out of the sector, reduces supply, and pushes up rents."

Councillor Adam Brook, cabinet member for Redcar and Cleveland’s council’s neighbourhoods, said: "Anti-social behaviour and crime in our neighbourhoods are completely unacceptable. I’ve met with local councillors, ASB officers, police, and our MP to discuss action." He urged residents to report issues to help build cases for intervention.”

A council spokesperson stated that selective licensing is being looked at. "We are currently assessing the data and encouraging residents to report issues to us. If the data tells us that selective licensing is necessary, we will consider it." 

However readers were not impressed and said:

• “Something has to be done with these landlords, they buy a house for about £5000 in terrible conditions and get as many people as they can to live in it for maximum rent. They then get their money back in about 6 months. It’s absolutely shocking, most of these dodgy landlords are in London, and our councillors are doing absolutely nothing about it.”

•  “This additional licensing makes no difference to the area concerned or the behaviour of tenants. Just look at North Ormesby for example, landlords in that area have had to pay this additional licensing for several years now, but the area hasn’t changed and MBC have not reinvested. It’s simply another tax the local councils can apply.”

• “Selective licensing is just another tax from the government it’s a rip off and easy revenue for the council.”

• “How many of these landlords are from the South and just rely on letting agents to be their only contact with their tenants? There are good and bad letting agencies, some do only what is required to ensure their fee.”

• “There is no evidence this scheme will control tenants. If it's always the same people, then why haven't they been arrested? This is just passing the buck & blaming landlords, also if it's just a few, why punish the good Landlords? All this does is drive them out, resulting in fewer available rental properties & higher rents. It's always the people at the bottom of the chain (tenants) who lose out. Selective Licensing doesn't work, it's just yet another tax. Use existing regulations & the LAW to fix the situation.”