Homing in on rogue landlords

Date published: 16 December 2014


POOR quality accommodation in problem areas will be stamped out thanks to an innovative licensing scheme for private landlords.

But council leader Jim McMahon said landlords who are honest and decent have nothing to fear.

Earlier this year, Oldham Council launched a three-month consultation for residents, private landlords, businesses and other stakeholders in targeted areas across the borough using powers under the Housing Act 2004.

The act gives councils power to introduce licensing of private rented homes within a designated area where it is, or is likely to become, an area of low housing demand and/or an area which is experiencing a significant and persistent problem caused by anti-social behaviour.

Councillor McMahon said: “The message to landlords is — if you are a good landlord you have everything to gain from this and you will have our support.

Approach

“If you are a rogue landlord, you have everything to fear. We will come after you. We will name and shame you and we will take legal action. This is very much a carrot and a very big stick approach.”

Four fifths of the 3,672 residents who gave their views believed selective licensing would help improve the proposed areas and 85 per cent felt that the council should have more control over the way private landlords manage their properties.

Cabinet members approved the scheme last night and a new team of officers will be recruited to administer its expansion across designated areas including Coldhurst, Oldham Edge, Waterhead, Primrose Bank, Alexandra, St Mary’s, Hathershaw and Hollinwood.

The running costs will be funded from the income generated by the licence fee.

The aim of selective licensing is to improve the management of these properties to ensure they have a positive impact on the area.

The scheme requires all landlords to be registered with the council, obtaining a five-year licence which is likely to be a one-off fee of £490 per property.

They must be a fit and proper person in order to become a licence holder and meet certain standards before they can legally rent out a property.

Various conditions can then be applied to the licences which would enable the council to easily challenge standards and management practices both of properties and tenants, as well as instances of anti-social behaviour.

Landlords who refuse to engage or continue to operate without a licence could face a fine of up to £5,000.


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