Landlords urged to respond to local licensing consultations
A number of local authorities are currently consulting on licensing proposals, and the NRLA is urging landlords to make sure they have their say in the consultations affecting them.
To help members learn more about licensing and responding to consultations, the NRLA recently launched a licensing toolkit. The tookit not only supports landlords through the licensing process, it also lays out helpful guidance as to how landlords can respond to consultations and the legal requirements councils themselves must meet.
Current licensing consultations
Local authorities can introduce licensing schemes which cover almost all privately rented homes within a defined area, under part 3 of the Housing Act 2004. This is known as selective licensing.
There are currently a number of selective licensing consultations for landlords to respond to, and we have rounded these up below, as well as other consultations on additional licensing and Article 4 to take note of.
Middlesborough:Selective licensing (closes 7th December)
A selective licensing scheme has been running North Ormesby for nearly five years, and the council is currently consulting with residents and landlords on plans to keep the scheme running.
Read the proposals in full and respond directly to the consultation by completing an online questionnaire here.
Tower Hamlets : selective licensing (closes 13th December)
A selective licensing scheme is currently in operation in three areas of this London borough. It is due to end in October 2021, and the council is now consulting on whether the scheme should be renewed, altered or ended. The current scheme as been in operation in Weavers, Whitechapel, Spitalfields and Banglatown since October 2016. To respond directly to this consultation, click here.
Salford: borough-wide additional licensing (closes 5th January 2021)
Landlords with rental properties in Salford are being urged to have their say on plans to introduce a borough wide additional licensing scheme in the city. Under the proposed scheme, all landlords of small HMOs (ones that currently do not fall into the scope of mandatory licensing) would be required to obtain a licence to lawfully let their property out. The consultation on this scheme closes next year. To respond directly, click here. .
Southend-on-sea - selective licensing (closes 11th January 2021)
A selective licensing scheme is currently being considered within parts of Southend-on-sea. The areas in question include Milton, Kursaal, Victoria and Chalkwell. As well as a survey for landlords and the community to complete, the council is also hosting a series of workshop for landlords to learn more about the proposed scheme. Respond directly to the consultation by clicking here
Newcastle: selective licensing (Closes 31st January 2021)
Newcastle City Council is currently consulting on plans to re-designate selective licensing schemes in Byker and Greater High Cross.
The Greater High Cross licensign scheme expired last month, while the licensing scheme in Byker is due to expire next October. More than 880 properties were included in these schemes. Learn more and have your say on the re-designation proposals.
Cheshire East: Article 4 (Closes 11 January 2021)
While this is not a consultation on specific licensing proposals as it is an Article 4 consultation, it will affect landlords so has been included in this round-up. Cheshire East are currently consulting on plans that would make it a requirement for some landlords in Crewe to apply for planning permission to be able to convert a dwelling into a house of multiple occupation (HMO).
The deadline for the consultation was extended due to the coronavirus, and it has now been extended until 11th January. More on the plans and details of how to respond to the consultation can be read online here.
