Landlords face action over bad tenants

HATHERSHAW has become the first area in Oldham to use a “selective licensing scheme” to address anti-social behaviour.

Oldham Council will now be able to apply conditions on landlords or their managing agents on more than 20 streets in the area.

A consultation exercise was launched earlier this year after claims a large proportion of the trouble may be caused by private- sector tenants in rented accommodation and a lack of regulation of their private landlords.

The council has used powers under the Housing Act 2004 to set up the scheme to help clamp down on issues in the area, which contains a high concentration of rented private accommodation.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, cabinet member for housing, transport and regeneration said: “Every private rented property now has to have a licence which sets out conditions that will enable the council to easily challenge standards and management practices as well as instances of anti-social behaviour.

“This is an extremely useful piece of legislation which will help the council to deal more effectively with these issues.”

THE licences will apply in Avon Street, Belgrave Road, Boston Street, Broadway Street, Carthage Street, Charleston Street, Columbia Street, Crete Street, Dartmouth Close, Estate Street South, Falmouth Street, Goddard Street, Honeywell Lane, Meldrum Street, Montreal Street, Plymouth Street, Pool Street, Ralstone Avenue, Royle Close, St Albans Close, Villa Road and Wallace Street.