Landlords face ‘robust enforcement action’ unless...

Landlords in Peterborough are being warned to sign up to a new licensing scheme or end up in court.

Peterborough City Council has issued a statement insisting that buy-to-let landlords have one last chance to join the licensing scheme or face court action.

Selective licensing covers nine wards - Central, North, East, Park, Fletton, Bretton North, Stanground Central, Walton and Orton Longueville.

Peterborough City Council’s selective licensing policy began last month, but the number of applications is around 500 fewer than expected.

Now the council has promised to take strong action against any landlord who has not signed up to its scheme.

A council report on selective licensing states: “Robust enforcement action will be taken with a low tolerance approach being adopted which will result in landlords who fail to licence being swiftly brought before the magistrates.”

Licenses were £50 for landlords accredited with a nationally recognised organisation and £600 for unaccredited landlords. But landlords who are now applying for a license after the deadline will be charged £900.

A council spokesman commented: “We are aware of properties being rented without an application and these landlords have been informed of the need to immediately apply for a licence at the increased cost of £900.

“In addition, cases are currently being built to take enforcement action against these landlords as necessary.”

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