Your local licensing update this June

In our licensing blog this month, we round up active licensing consultations that we would encourage private landlords to respond to as well as schemes coming into force in the future.

Active consultations: 

Burnley Council (Closes 14 June)

Burnley council has recently launched a consultation to continue selective licensing in four parts of the borough, as well as introduce two new schemes. 

The council proposes to re-designate selective licensing in the existing wards licensed at present:

•    Trinity 
•    Queensgate 
•    Gannow 
•    Daneshouse & Stoneyholme 

In addition, they want to introduce new selective licensing schemes in parts of Padiham and The Lyndhurst Road Area  

The council is continually monitoring the housing stock across the borough and as part of the review of the current licensing areas they have investigated which other areas of the borough are experiencing higher than average levels of private renting.

From this, they have identified further areas that are experiencing low demand for housing which may benefit from the introduction of selective licensing.

Burnley wants selective licensing to improve the management of private rented homes through training, advice and support to landlords and agents, as well as reducing anti-social behaviour and fly tipping. 

The consultation will run until Friday 14th June. Further information can be found on the council’s website here.

Rochdale Council (closes 7 July)

Rochdale Council is consulting on introducing a brand-new additional licensing scheme that will cover the entire borough. 

An additional licensing scheme would allow the council to licence properties containing 3 or more persons who share basic amenities at the property. 

An additional licensing scheme will allow the council they state to maintain property standards in a much larger number of properties across the borough. Unregulated HMO’s the council further state account for a large portion of poorly managed property in the area, often afflicted by problems with disrepair and poor conditions, crime and ASB. 

To implement the additional licensing scheme, the council must consult with those likely to be affected by HMO’s and the implementation of an additional licensing scheme.

The fee for a new licence will be £908 with a £47 per habitable room inspection fee, for a five-year licence. 

The deadline to respond to the consultation is Sunday 7th July. Further information and how to respond to the survey can be found on the council’s website.

Manchester City Council (Closes 22nd July)

Manchester City Council is consulting on introducing further selective licensing in the city. 

The proposed wards are:
•    Parts of Cheetham
•    Crumpsall 
•    Harpurhey
•    Longsight 
•    Miles Platting 
•    Newton Heath 
•    Moss Side 

The consultation runs until Monday 22nd July and landlords can find out further information about the proposals on the council’s website here. 

Blackburn with Darwen Council (closes 26 July)

Blackburn with Darwen council are currently consulting on plans to re-introduce and extend selective licensing in the borough. 

The proposed fee is £724 per licence with the option to spread out payments to reduce the initial outlay. 

Some proposed conditions for licence holders will require them to provide references on tenants, rent receipts and safety certificates. 

The council wishes to introduce licensing to improve management of the PRS stock in the proposed area, increase the value of the properties and reduce anti-social behaviour and fly tipping. 

The consultation will run until Friday 26th July. Further information about the proposals and how to respond can be found on the council’s website.

Get support with property licensing

The NRLA aims to respond to all property licensing consultations, and members can learn more about effectively responding to consultations themselves in our free Licensing Toolkit. 

The best way to keep up to date with licensing news and consultation information is by signing up to NRLA Licensing Support, a free member benefit, powered by our partner, Kamma Data. 

Using Kamma, you can keep up to date with licensing regulations for up to 16 properties. Read the latest licensing update from Kamma by clicking here.