West Lindsey council in Lincolnshire is launching a consultation on proposals to change how some private rented homes are managed and licensed. 

The plans will affect private rented homes in several areas across the district and the council claims to be committed to improving the quality of housing while also building thriving, prosperous communities. 

The 12-week consultation began last week.

A previous scheme was restricted to a small part of one ward considered to have high levels of anti-social behaviour and poor property conditions. The council now wants to expand the licensing area – and justifies this be saying “so that more tenants can be helped, and all residents can live in safe neighbourhoods.”

A council spokesman says: “We are doing everything possible to make sure that private renting offers the highest possible standards of security, safety and quality. Our previous Selective Licensing scheme addressed more than 4,000 hazards in homes…but there is still more to do. We are now looking to take this further with proposals for new Selective Licensing schemes covering a larger area of the district. 

“If you own a private rented home, are renting in private rented accommodation, or live near a private rented home, I encourage you to review our proposals and see what we’re doing to improve your local community.”

If agreed, the council licensing scheme will come into effect from September 2022.

The consultation runs until April 17 and the proposals are here.