1st
Mar 2022
The Labour led Birmingham council has written to Housing Secretary Michael Gove for permission to introduce a new licensing scheme for 25 wards of the city.
The scheme has been backed by the council’s cabinet for a five year period which as explained in its report to councillors will make sure all PRS properties in the 25 wards must meet a “minimum housing standard” giving tenants “a stable home”.
The 25 wards have 40,000 plus PRS rented homes which could become required for their owners to apply for the new proposed licensing regime.
The report to the cabinet says: “A selective licensing scheme will ensure that all privately rented properties within the designated area meet a minimum housing standard, which gives the tenant a stable home and helps with building stable communities.
“Tenants would be confident that homes meet the minimum energy saving requirements which would contribute to the green city aspiration. A Selective Licensing Scheme will also contribute to alleviating fuel poverty as measures to improve standards will ensure that heating appliances are properly checked, maintained and working efficiently.
“Improvements in the housing standards should also make properties more secure which should assist with minimising crime, particularly burglary. We will work with partners to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness. The availability of and living in improved housing conditions should contribute to a reduction in homelessness.”
The council held a consultation on the scheme over the festive season for 10 weeks that closed on January 4th.
When addressing concerns raised in the consultation, the council responded: “Selective licensing works in unison with other strategies and with partners such as West Midlands Police to address issues at a neighbourhood level in a holistic manner. Selective licensing will enhance the community safety partnership response.”
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