Gedling council in Nottinghamshire is the latest local authority to resume consultations on Selective Licensing after putting initial proposals on ice because of the pandemic. 

Following a pilot which started in autumn 2018, a consultation is now seeking views to extend the scheme. This consultation initially closed in January 2021, but has been extended to run until May 23 this year. 

Landlords, residents and stakeholders have another opportunity to comment on the proposals by visiting the consultation page at www.gedling.gov.uk/haveyoursay

All previous comments already submitted have been taken into account and will still be considered when making a decision on the proposal.

The pilot scheme saw over 400 private rented properties inspected by the council’s environmental health officers, and of those, 78 per c ent were identified as requiring remedial works to bring them up to the minimum legal standard and protect the health and safety of tenants. 

Some 40 properties inspected had imminent hazards around areas such as fire safety and inadequate fire protection or detection, which all required immediate action to protect tenants.

The council says it will work with landlords and residents to improve properties, but where necessary will use licensing conditions and enforcement powers to bring about improvements.

Council leader John Clarke says: “Creating safer communities for our residents and reducing hardship and inequality is a key priority for the council, and this scheme will help contribute towards that ambition.

“We’ve seen the benefits that Selective Licensing has made to residents living in private rented properties in Netherfield, and we want to be able to extend this to other parts of the borough.

“Through schemes like this we are able to make real changes for residents and work with landlords to not only make their homes safer, but to improve the standard of living for hundreds, if not thousands of residents.

“We want people to get involved with this and give us their views, so we can build on the work we’ve carried out … already and fulfil our ethos of serving people, improving lives.”