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Each month in our Licensing Update blog, we share a list of councils that are currently consulting on licensing plans. We also take a look at some of the RLA’s most recent responses to licensing consultations, and look back on licensing related news from the past month.

Licensing news

Liverpool plan ‘alternative’ licensing scheme

In February, the Government blocked the renewal of a city-wide selective licensing scheme in Liverpool, and last week Liverpool City Council announced that it will not launch a judicial review in relation to this decision, but instead is planning an ‘alternative’ licensing scheme.

Housing Secretary BLOCKS licensing scheme in Brent

At the end of February, the Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP blocked Brent Council’s plans to extend a selective licensing scheme in the borough. In its response to the consultation on the plans, the RLA highlighted that the council already has existing enforcement powers in order to tackle poor housing management and conditions, such as civil penalty notices.

Current licensing consultations

The RLA aims to respond to all local authority licensing consultations. You can read about the association’s recent responses over on our news site. Check out our list below to see if your local authority is currently consulting on plans to introduce licensing.

Hastings Council – selective licensing consultation (Closes 6th March)

The current selective licensing scheme in Hastings was introduced on 15th October 2015, and the five year scheme is due to expire in 2020.

The scheme that is being proposed and consulted on would require landlords to licence all privately rented flats and houses that are occupied by one household (i.e. single persons or couples, or one family) in the 6 wards of Braybrooke, Castle, Central St Leonards, Gensing, Old Hastings and Tressell.  Have your say on the plans here.

Camden Council – Additional HMO licensing scheme renewal (Closes 8th March 2020)

In 2015 Camden Council introduced a borough wise additional licensing scheme for Houses of Multiple Occupation. The five year scheme is now up for renewal, and landlords are being invited to share their views on the proposals and attend some drop in sessions the Council is running. To have your say on the plans, click here.

Read the RLA’s response to this consultation here.

Croydon Council – Selective licensing consultation – (Closes 9th March 2020)

A borough-wide selective licensing scheme was introduced in Croydon in 2015, meaning that it is due to expire in 2020.

The council is now consulting on plans to introduce a new licensing scheme to cover all or most of the borough, to take effect from Autumn 2020. Landlords can read more about the plans and have their say here.

Scarborough Council -Selective licensing consultation for Scarborough South (Closes 31st March 2020)

Scarborough Borough Council is currently inviting the views of landlords and residents in the town on plans to designate a Selective Licensing scheme for privately rented properties within the area known as Scarborough South. Read more and have your say here.

Bournemouth Council (closes 6th April)

Bournemouth Council is considering licensing proposals to include Selective and Additional Licensing in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.  Read more here

Durham Council- plans to introduce new selective licensing scheme (Closes 27th April)

Durham Council is currently consulting on plans to introduce a selective licensing scheme which will cover more than 51,000 homes in over 30 areas across the county. This includes: Consett West and Castleside, Hutton Henry and Wingate, Langley Park Cornsay and Satley, Crook South and Willington North and Cassop and Coxhoe. The scheme is being pursued on the basis of anti-social behaviour, low demand and deprivation. Read more and have your say here.

Oldham Council-selective licensing consultation (Closes 18th May)

Oldham Council have launched a consultation on plans to introduce selective licensing in 10 of the borough’s wards. Selective licensing was first introduced in Oldham in 2015, covering eight wards. This is scheme is due to come to an end this year. To read more about the plans to renew and expand the scheme and to share your comments in the consultation, click here.