Agents invited to comment on two new proposed licensing schemes

Charnwood council in the East Midlands is proposing to introduce two different licensing schemes for private landlords, with agents and others invited to comment on the idea.

The aim, says the authority - echoing so many others that have introduced licensing - is to “improve the quality of privately-rented accommodation and reduce its impact on the local community.“

One licensing scheme is for any HMO which does not already hold a mandatory licence; the other focuses on privately-rented accommodation within a designated area.

Additional Licensing will require HMO landlords not covered by the mandatory scheme to apply for a licence. This scheme will cover all HMOs occupied by three or four unrelated persons and buildings converted into self-contained flats where they are occupied by tenants.

The second proposed scheme is selective licensing which requires all landlords operating within a designated area to licence their property. The council says it is looking “initially” to introduce this scheme in the Hastings and Lemyngton wards in Loughborough.

There will be a range of conditions attached to each of the proposed licences which will last for five years.

Landlords will be responsible for paying and any income generated from the fees will only be used to cover the scheme’s running costs.

The online consultations are now open and will run until October 23.

You can see more details at here.