Your NRLA local licensing update

This month the NRLA launched a new licensing tool exclusively for NRLA members. The toolkit is designed to support landlords through the licensing process, as well as laying out helpful guidance as to how landlords can respond to consultations, and the legal requirements councils themselves must meet. You can read more about the new tool elsewhere in this bulletin. 

Current licensing consultations

Liverpool

Liverpool City Council’s consultation on plans to introduce a selective licensing scheme in some parts of the city closes in October. The NRLA will be responding to the consultation, and landlords are also urged to have their say on the plans.

Should the proposals be given the go ahead, landlords with properties in the designated areas would be required to apply for a five year licence from the council in order to continue to let their property out lawfully.

The designated areas include: Central, Riverside, Greenbank, Kensington, Picton, Tuebrook & Stoneycroft, County, Anfield, St Michael’s, Princes Park, Kirkdale, Old Swan, Warbreck, Wavertree, Fazakerley and Everton.

This consultation closes on 26th October 2020 and you can respond online here.

Charnwood

An additional licensing consultation is also still ongoing in Charnwood. The council is planning on introducing a borough wide licensing scheme for all Houses of Multiple Occupation. The NRLA will be responding to this consultation, this consultation closes on 23rd October.

Other licensing news

In the Bulletin last month we reported on the NRLA’s response to a consultation run by Durham County Council on plans to introduce a large selective licensing scheme.

In the NRLA’s consultation response, the association raised several points of concern with the scheme. For example, the cost of a licence could end up being passed on to the tenants through increased rents, and that the council has failed to provide evidence of a direct link between recorded housing crime and the private rented sector.

At a meeting of the Council’s Cabinet on 16th September, the selective licensing designation was approved. As the scheme would cover approximately 51,000 privately rented properties in Durham, it will now be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval.

Elsewhere, an additional licensing scheme in Islington ended after five years a few weeks ago, and an additional licensing scheme came into force in Enfield on 1st September.

To keep up to date with the NRLA’s most recent local licensing consultation responses keep your eye on our regional news feed.