Private rental quality more vital in cities than towns - councillor

A local politician says the quality of the private rental sector appears to be more important in cities than in towns.

Ian Gilbert is leader of Southend-on-Sea council and made his surprising comment as he launched a Landlord licensing scheme.

He says: “This licensing scheme gives us as the local authority, more powers to deal with tenancy issues including so-called ‘rogue’ landlords and equally, so-called ‘bad’ tenants. I think it will improve the quality of private rental market in Southend, something which seems to be more important as we are now a City.”

Southend-on-Sea became a city recently following the murder of Sir David Amess MP, who championed the campaign to change the status of the area.

The selective landlord licensing scheme has been introduced in nine neighbourhoods in Southend-on-Sea.

The council claims the scheme allows it to set minimum standards for property management, including the provision of kitchen and bathroom facilities, room sizes, health and safety checks such as fire, gas and electrical, and that properties are kept to an appropriate standard.

Each five year license costs no less than £688.

Landlords have only until March 31 to apply.

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