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Selective licensing for the inner area of Blackpool has now been in place for almost a year.
More than half of the estimated 9,000 homes which fall under the latest scheme have already registered. Of these, 30% meet the higher Blackpool Standard for property management; offering better quality homes and tenancy management for residents, and discounted license fees for landlords. One-in-two landlords also qualified for scheme discounts simply by holding higher EPC ratings.
However, those properties which remain unlicensed now risk prosecution or fines for landlords.
Now tenants are being encouraged to ask their landlords if their home is licensed and, therefore, being appropriately managed.
The latest scheme covers eight wards - Bloomfield, Brunswick, Claremont, Talbot, Tyldesley, Warbreck, Waterloo and Victoria. Any house, flat or room rented out within the private rented sector requires a license, subject to some exemptions.
Cllr Paula Burdess, cabinet member for community safety, street scene and neighbourhoods, said:
“People deserve better housing. There are clear links between poor quality private rented accommodation and deprivation. While we know that a great many landlords in our town provide a decent standard of housing for residents, as evidenced in the hundreds of homes which meet our high Blackpool Standard. But there are still many people living in poor housing. Tenants can ask their landlords if their home has been licensed, and if it meets the higher Blackpool Standard. By working together we can improve homes, neighbourhoods and outcomes for all.”
Landlords within the designated area must adhere to a number of licence conditions around property management, tenancy management, fire safety and preventing anti-social behaviour; all designed to provide a good standard of living conditions for tenants and communities.
To incentivise the improvement of properties and property management, discounts are available for homes which have an EPC rating of C or higher, or which meet the Blackpool Standard. Of the thousands of homes already licensed, 56% were eligible for discounted rates by holding an EPC rating of C or above.
Prior this scheme being introduced, government findings showed that one-in-three private rented properties across these areas contained at least one Category 1 hazard – the most serious potential risk of harm.
Previous Additional Licensing schemes brought in in South Shore, Claremont and Central since 2012 helped to reduce crime rates by more than half. In South Shore, criminal incidents dropped from 720 to 333 year-on-year (2012-13).
Cllr Burdess added:
“Improving housing for our residents is one of our key priorities as a council. We want selective licensing to not just improve the private rented sector but improve neighbourhoods too. By promoting the delivery of good properties, people will want to stay in their homes and areas for longer, improving communities overall. We’ve seen previous schemes drive down anti-social behaviour in neighbourhoods, showing the real value of these approaches.”
What is selective licensing?
Selective licensing aims to improve standards in an area by addressing the poor management of some private landlords and the poor property conditions they offer.
The scheme requires all landlords within the designated area to adhere to a number of licence conditions around property management, tenancy management, fire safety and anti-social behaviour, all designed to provide a good standard of living conditions.
The standard licence fee for a single dwelling is £772 for the five-year period of the scheme. Fees go back into running the scheme, including funding property inspections, to improve housing standards, and housing support workers, to offer a range of social, health-related and financial guidance to tenants. No profit is generated for the council as a result of the scheme.
The Blackpool Standard
The Blackpool Standard was drawn up to improve property management for the benefit of tenants.
It requires landlords to make a range of documentation and certification available to tenants, including written procedures for dealing with repairs and anti-social behaviour. It also requires landlords to ensure external areas are free from hazards, and homes have fully functional, fit for purpose kitchens and bathrooms that are no more than 20 years old.
Landlords with properties within the eight designated wards should apply for a licence via: www.blackpool.gov.uk/selectivelicensing
Tenants who want to learn more about their rights as a private tenant can visit: Information for tenants living in private rented homes