A scheme designed to improve housing standards and protect Scunthorpe communities from rogue landlords and anti-social tenants has been proposed.
The Selective Licensing scheme – being consulted on now – would mean landlords in certain parts of Scunthorpe would have to be licensed, requiring them to maintain high standards to keep their tenants safe, warm and secure.
It would also require them to ensure their tenants maintain the same high standards.
An online session has also been arranged for Wednesday 17 April, 9.30am to 10.30am. This is for landlords but tenants and residents are also welcome – email housing@northlincs.gov.uk for the link to join the meeting.
A final drop-in session has been arranged at Café Indie, 169-173 High St, Scunthorpe DN15 6EH on Thursday 18 April 2024, 3pm to 7pm, for anyone who wishes to view maps, ask questions or receive help to fill in the survey.
The public consultation closes at midnight on Monday 22 April 2024.
The areas proposed for the scheme cover part of the Crosby & Park, Town and Frodingham wards, a total of 1,505 private sector rented properties.
Anyone in North Lincolnshire can make their views known on the Selective Licensing proposals – you don’t need to be a tenant or landlord or live in the designated areas.
While the majority of North Lincolnshire landlords run their properties responsibly, the council has to deal with issues that show standards are not always adhered to, which can have an effect on the whole neighbourhood, not just the property in question.
Selective licensing aims to improve standards by tackling the poor management of some private landlords and the poor property conditions they offer.
It would require landlords – and tenants – within certain areas to follow strict guidelines around management of properties.
The licence conditions cover such things as overcrowding, heating and making the property safe. It ensures homes have essential safety measures installed such as alarms and emergency lighting.
Cllr Richard Hannigan, deputy leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We are focussed on enabling resilient communities and keeping residents safe and well.
“The vast majority of local landlords are providing safe, decent homes but we know there are small number of people who do not maintain the standards expected.
“We believe selective licensing will enable us to target the areas where there is poor quality and badly-managed accommodation.
“It will help us address anti-social behaviour and raise standards by forcing rogue landlords and bad tenants to be responsible.
“We have not wanted to go down this route and where landlords are already operating responsibility there will be less impact but we do think this will enable us to protect residents and enhance the community as a whole.
“We also want to make sure that everyone who has a stake in this has had their say so we have launched this consultation to capture everyone’s views.”
More information on the proposal is available on our website
You can fill in the consultation survey on the consultation page.
