Views are being sought on the designation of a scheme to improve standards in part of Middlesbrough. 

A selective landlord licensing scheme has been running for a number of years in part of the town but the council now wants an extension. 

It wants to hear from local residents, private landlords, businesses and any other interested parties on the proposed designation of Selective Landlord Licensing in part of Newport ward.

Under the initiative all private rented properties must be licensed by the council, with licence holders required to meet certain ‘fit and proper person’ criteria. Licence conditions include proving that annual gas safety checks are carried out, as well as pre-tenancy reference checks and the provision of tenancy agreements.

In addition the landlord should have, or will be required to have, a plan in place to tackle anti-social tenants.

The formal consultation on the proposals runs until noon on Monday January 30 with a final decision due to be taken after all responses have been fully considered.

A council spokesperson says: “In order to make sure any extension of Selective Landlord Licensing is fit for purpose we really need to gather all the views of those who may be affected. That means we want to hear from residents, landlords businesses and anyone else who wishes to contribute to this consultation.”