A public consultation on the introduction of Selective Licensing to clamp down on poor landlords in one of the Borough’s most deprived wards will begin in the New Year.
North East Lincolnshire Council Cabinet members have approved the consultation for East Marsh and it is now expected to run from January to March 2025, over a 10-week period.
Residents will also be consulted on the creation of two Areas of Action in parts of Sidney Sussex and Heneage Wards to motivate landlords in these areas to work more closely with the council to bring their properties up to standard.
Selective Licensing aims to encourage private landlords within a designated area to meet their responsibilities to provide safe, warm and secure homes for tenants. Landlords would have to apply to the council for the licence before renting out their properties, which would then be inspected to ensure that they meet acceptable safety and living standards.
The licence would cover issues such as overcrowding and making the property safe. It would ensure homes have essential safety measures installed, such as smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Landlords would also have to work with partners to tackle anti-social behaviour and management of waste at a property.
The areas where the council will consult on Selective Licensing have significant problems: East Marsh is in the top 1% of most deprived wards in the country; life expectancy is the lowest in the borough, and the crime rate is the highest in the borough; 24.6% of people are in fuel poverty. Heneage Ward is also in the top 1% of most deprived areas in the country and, in Sidney Sussex, 39.5% of households within the proposed Areas of Action are experiencing household deprivation.
Cllr Stewart Swinburn, NELC Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “The Borough has pockets of high deprivation, poor quality homes, low housing demand, high levels of anti-social behaviour and crime. The Council has identified three areas which require intervention to improve living conditions in these areas.
“A selective licensing scheme, along with a robust and coordinated approach to enforcement, could be an effective way of improving conditions, encouraging inward investment, driving up housing standards and improving housing demand.“
He continued: “Providing warm, safe and secure homes for people to live in is the very least we should expect for our residents, whether they are single occupants or families. Poor homes have a substantial effect on health and, with selective licensing, we would be saying to landlords that we will not tolerate neglect of our communities, and we are committed to building a better future for all our residents.”
Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe, Chair of the Cabinet Working Party, said: “Significant challenges persist in the private rented sector across parts of the borough, particularly in the East Marsh, Heneage, and Sidney Sussex wards, where many homes suffer from appalling conditions, such as severe damp, mould-infested walls, inadequate heating, and hazards that threaten tenants’ safety.
“These areas also face high levels of anti-social behaviour and crime, and in East Marsh, respiratory disease mortality rates are 95% higher than the national average, with COPD-related hospital admissions 229% higher. These challenges highlight the urgent need for action.
“The business plan for Selective Licensing is the result of months of collaboration by the cross-party working group and council officers, supported by detailed analysis and proven strategies from other successful schemes.
“The scheme aims to create a partnership between landlords, tenants, and the council to improve housing standards and provide better rental opportunities. It also seeks to address any harmful practices.
“I’m delighted that cabinet has approved the next step of public consultation, inviting residents, landlords and stakeholders to share their views and work together to shape a better future for our community.”
Further details of the consultation process and how to take part will be available in the New Year.
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