Agents invited to virtual forum to discuss new licensing schemes

Letting agents and landlords are invited to join a virtual forum for a further update on new licensing requirements and to find out how to apply online.

Charnwood council has introduced two new licensing schemes for private landlords.

The Additional and Selective licensing schemes will, according to a statement from the authority, “enable the council to work with landlords to drive up standards across privately rented homes by ensuring they are suitable for tenants to live in and are being managed effectively.”

The online event will be held via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday February 7 at 6pm and agents can sign up online.

They will be provided with an overview of the licensing schemes and a demonstration of the online application process. There will also be an opportunity to ask any questions about applying for the schemes.

The forum will include representatives from the borough council and MetaStreet, the online platform which will be used to manage private sector housing licensing applications.

To sign up for the forum, email private.housing@charnwood.gov.uk by Sunday February 5. Joining instructions will be sent on Monday February 6 via email to those registered.

Additional Licensing is a borough-wide scheme for any house in multiple occupation (HMO) which does not already hold a mandatory licence and is occupied by three or four unrelated persons.

Selective Licensing in the Hastings and Lemyngton wards in Loughborough focuses on privately rented accommodation and aims to improve standards. Selective Licensing requires all landlords operating within the two wards to licence their property.

Applications for the licensing schemes are due to open on Wednesday February 1.

The licence fee per application is £700 which will be used to cover the costs to run the schemes. More information can be found on the Council’s website at www.charnwood.gov.uk/PropertyLicensing