Landlords in Ashfield are being encouraged to take advantage of discounted property licensing fees.

From 1 May, landlords in Ashfield will require a licence for every property they let, or they could be subject to a fine of up to £20,000.

The scheme, which is being introduced in Sutton-in-Ashfield and Stanton Hill, has been set up to tackle problems identified by the council as poor quality of rented properties, poorly behaved tenants and anti-social behaviour.

The full cost of a licence per property is £350 and is valid for five years. But landlords will receive a £100 discount when applying for licences, so long as they are accredited with an appropriate body.

“With only one month to go, it’s important that landlords in the Ashfield area take advantage of these discounts before it’s too late,” said Richard Lambert, chief executive officer at the NLA. “By becoming accredited, landlords will be able to make considerable savings when applying for the licences, and learn and develop valuable skills and knowledge in the process.”

To become accredited with the NLA, landlords can either attend a one-day course or complete the training online.

Lambert added: “We believe that education and accreditation enable landlords to maintain a profitable and successful letting business and are vital to improving standards in property management.”