Middlesbrough is the latest council wanting to expand its landlord licensing regime.

It’s consulting on extending its existing scheme to another ward.

The Selective Landlord Licensing scheme has been running for a number of years in North Ormesby and Newport ward and in the council’s own words – “has led to great improvements to the areas.”

So it now wants to introduce a further scheme in Newport ward.

The authority wants to hear from local residents, private landlords, businesses and any other interested parties on the proposal.

A statement says: “The scheme aims to improve standards of property management in the private rented sector and, along with other measures, help bring about improved social and economic conditions.

“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 will have a plan in place to tackle anti-social tenants.”

Consultation on the proposals runs from this week until noon on Tuesday, March 12, with a final decision due to be taken after all responses have been considered.

For more information on the scheme, including the full proposal, visit https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/SLLconsultation