A council has successfully defended a legal challenge to its Selective and Additional Licensing Schemes.

The decision follows the Supreme Court’s refusal of an appeal by Luton Landlords and Letting Agents Limited, to challenge the authority’s proposal.

Luton council has now introduced Selective Licensing to the Town Centre and Park Town areas, and Additional licensing for HMOs to the whole town.

To obtain a licence, landlords will need to meet specified standards and comply with licence conditions designed to ensure properties are appropriately managed. 

Licence fees will range from £122 to £366, although landlords applying during the early bird period until August 31 will pay £150.

Councillor Alia Khan, Portfolio Holder for Housing, says: “Successfully defending the legal challenge means we can now move forward and continue making meaningful improvements for residents across Luton. 

“I believe that every resident deserves a safe, secure and comfortable home. That is not negotiable. 

“These measures are an important part of our wider work to improve housing conditions and tackle issues that impact local neighbourhoods. 

“Most landlords are responsible. But for the ones that aren’t this gives us the power to act.

“We do recognise the valuable role responsible landlords play and so have introduced an early bird period to support applications”.

The authority says the schemes will run alongside the council’s existing enforcement powers and help address issues associated with poor property management, including anti-social behaviour and environmental concerns.