A council is launching an innovative scheme whereby good landlords get long licences – and poor ones get short licences.

Gloucester council plans to give landlords who fail to manage HMO properties correctly, shorter 12 month HMO licences rather than the standard five years.

The council is also set to introduce fines for landlords where homes don’t meet energy efficiency standards and whose Energy Performance Certificate rating is below an E.

A statement from the authority says: “Homes with low EPC ratings take longer to warm up and lose heat quicker, meaning energy bills can be higher and residents are exposed to cold related illnesses.”

Landlords whose properties fail electrical safety standards could be fined up to £30,000 and those who don’t install sufficient carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, up to £5,000.

Reduced payment offers for those who pay the penalty fines early have also been removed. 

In Gloucester almost 30 per cent of homes are rented.

The council says it “works to educate landlords about their responsibilities and can provide advice and support but can also to take action through the courts as a last resort.”

A council spokesperson comments: “Poor housing can have a huge effect on people’s lives and can severely affect their health. While the majority of landlords maintain their properties there is a small minority who think that the rules don’t apply to them. 

“We hope that this will send a message that not meeting the regulations could cost you a lot more in the long run so now is the time to act.”