One of the country’s largest landlord licensing regimes has expanded even more this week.
Some 700 more private sector homes in Manchester will require a landlord licence as Selective Licensing expands to five new schemes across four neighbourhoods.
A statement from the council says licensing can be introduced if an area is experiencing significant and persistent problems caused by antisocial behaviour, poor property conditions, high levels of migration, high levels of deprivation, high levels of crime, low housing demand – or is likely to become such an area.
The four new areas where selective licensing is now mandatory for landlords includes Levenshulme, Longsight, Moss Side & Whalley Range, and Risholme.
All tenants in properties that now require a licence will receive a letter explaining that licensing is now in operation and that their landlord will be required to apply.
Landlords will be contacted by the council and are encouraged to apply for a licence as the earliest opportunity with an early bird discount being offered to all applications through until August 8.
The new designations follow a public consultation in October 2022 within the communities gathering feedback from residents and landlords. There are four previous schemes currently in operation in the city and these will continue.
A council spokesperson says: “In Manchester around 90,000 of our homes are private rented sector properties – 38 per cent of the whole city’s housing supply – which means a large number of our residents rely on this type of housing. We have made a commitment through our ambitious housing strategy to ensure private sector housing is safe, secure and decent for our residents.
“Our housing compliance teams work hard to support residents and tackle housing issues, but we know that without intervention, we don’t tend to see long-term significant improvements. This is where Selective Licensing is proving impactful, and our residents are seeing tangible improvements in their homes.
“Of course, we know that the majority of landlords take their responsibilities seriously and work hard to provide a safe and well-managed property. But it is important that we work to tackle those landlords who seem willing to put their tenants’ safety at risk.”
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More rent rises for tenants :(
Tricia, exactly more rent rises or Bankruptcy. I bet a lot of buyers are also sorry they are still not renting.
So one of the Country’s largest licensing Authorities adding another 5 wards to the already 4 Selective licensing Scheme Areas.
Spare a thought we have Borough wide in Ealing from the only 3 Wards only introduced last July, so not even a year has passed and Mr Gove interfered and made it Borough wide or it couldn’t have happened.
Manchester Tenants don’t be taken-in this will definitely increase your Rents.
Council’s never pay or have any input to those Schemes just leaches.
I suppose Andy from Golborne is behind all this, he wasn’t even born when I was Foreman there for Building Office Block, industrial units, removing railway bank to make space, now probably the biggest Company in the area, right on Andy’s door step Golborne but originally born not far away in Aintree no stopping him.
I remember last year Liverpool City Council brought the same selective licensing to 25 wards in the City. Soon after starting the process, they realised that every rental unit must go through HHSRS checks. They then realised with the manpower and experts they have available to carry out the checks, the Council will need 124 years to process all applications.
Typical councils. Bring in something without really thinking about it. Pillocks. And yep rent rises for the tenants. 500.00 for 5 yrs?
Usually is £500.00 if you applied on line and £700.00 if applied using paper applications. HHSRS means 29 items must be checked. From damp and mould to structural collapse and falling elements. Once they find a fault, the council will issue certificate upon the property. During which the landlord can neither sell nor issue Section 21 or Section 8. So far so good. The money making part of the scheme is the fine for non compliance to carry out the required repairs. Currently stands at £30,000.00. That is where Andy comes in. The fine will not go to the government treasury, instead it goes to the council's treasury. The idea is that the council spends the money by employing experts to deal with the checks. Hey I might just put a pause on my retirement and have s slice of this upcoming cake.
But Councils just ' take the fee ' and don't check them ! - Basically Govt-allowed Fraud.
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