Blackpool council will next week consider a new selective licensing scheme for some of the town’s privately rented properties.

The scheme will include the central area of Blackpool, covering the eight key wards with approximately 11,000 privately rented properties.

A selective licensing scheme means that, other than very limited exceptions, all privately rented properties are required to be licensed.

Licence conditions include ensuring the property is safe and that all safety certificates can be provided including fire safety. Landlords must be able to demonstrate that they have adequate procedures in place to manage any anti-social behaviour from their tenants and they are aware of their tenants’ rights.

Blackpool council claims there’s an “intrinsic link” between poor quality private rented accommodation and deprivation. The proposed areas have been selected due to high levels of deprivation combined with a high ratio of privately rented properties.

The report highlights that too much of the private rented housing stock within Blackpool is of poor quality, and this is particularly acute within these areas.

Evidence obtained through the government funded Decent Homes Pilot shows that at least one in every three private rented properties in this area upon inspection contains at least one category 1 hazard – the most serious potential risk of harm.

Selective licensing schemes are designed to be self-financing. No profit is generated for the council as a result of these schemes. The fees go back into running the scheme and supporting landlords as much as possible.

The council claims significant discounts will be available for those applying early and for landlords meeting additional standards.