A local authority in the north of England is choosing not to use in-house staff to handle a licensing scheme consultation. 

Instead it’s using council tax payers’ money to buy-in an external consultancy which will ask people about a selective licensing proposal, which involves three wards in the Preston council area. 

A statement from the authority says: “Under Selective Licensing, Preston Council can ensure landlords or their property managers are subject to criminal record checks and their rental properties are checked to meet certain standards and conditions like having up-to-date fire and gas safety checks, damp proofing, tenant welfare, good management practices etc; this helps to address issues such as poor property conditions, anti-social behaviour and low demand.

“If landlords fail to comply with the licensing conditions, local authorities can take enforcement action which could include fines and penalties.”

And councillor Zafar Coupland, on behalf of the authority, says:”Around a quarter of all housing in Preston is privately rented and due to many factors such as the cost of living crisis and the ongoing recovery from the Covid pandemic, a lack of investment in privately owned, rented housing stock has seen living standards decline, with many of our residents experiencing poor living conditions, which is unacceptable.

“The introduction of Selective Licensing to help better regulate the Private Rented Sector and tackle the most deprived areas of the city, is a priority in our emerging Corporate Plan, and this consultation around the three pilot wards, where deprivation is prevalent, is the first crucial step in rolling out a more robust way to tackle poor quality housing and raise the housing standards for our residents.”