Councils in Greater Manchester admit to charging landlords over £14,000 for “officer time” involved in licensing schemes.

There are currently eight selective licensing schemes operating across the city along with four previous schemes that have ended. Some 3,240 properties across the city have been licensed under current and past schemes.  

In a statement from the Manchester councils they say: “93 housing related enforcement notices were issued … against landlords, mandating improvements to be made at their properties. And 971 enforcement actions were served for environmental issues, such as litter, pest problems and other waste control incidents.  

“Legal action via Civil Penalty Notice were issued against 15 landlords for either failing to apply for a licence or for non-compliance with enforcement notices served under the Housing Act 2004. 

“A total of £71,799.00 was handed out through fines – and a further £14,532 was charged to landlords for officer time related to processing Housing Act Enforcement Notices.”

Now the councils are on the warpath to introduce yet more licensing.

The statement – released late on Friday – says: “Nine new Selective Licensing areas across six wards have now been proposed and will be subject to local consultation in spring / summer next year following executive approval being sought in the New Year.  

“These areas have been chosen following a ‘hotspot’ mapping exercise that looked at areas of the city where licensing could make a positive impact on those communities – and where they meet the criteria for a Selective Licensing scheme.”