Landlords concerns over Telford licensing scheme

Private landlords in certain areas in Telford face having to buy £600 five year licences before renting out properties in the borough.

The council says it is introducing a private licensing scheme in a bid to improve the standard or privately rented homes, bringing with it a cut in the amount of fly-tipping, crime and anti-social behaviour in certain areas.

But Bernie Lewis, a spokesman for the Wrekin Landlords Association says as it becomes more difficult to run a private rental business, the charges will put on extra strain.

Following a meeting on July 11 of the association, attended by over 100 people, Mr Lewis says many people are concerned about the proposals.

He has urged residents to voice concerns in the ongoing consultation on the proposals.

He said: "The mood at the meeting was that those who were not intending to sell would, if selective licensing is introduced, seek alternative measures to cope with the impossible proposal.

"This would not only affect tenants of private landlords but would also hit the value of owned properties within the licensed areas as the stigmatisation takes hold."

Fellow landlord, Martin Bailey, has also raised concerns.

He said: "I have been a landlord for nearly 20 years now and have 6 houses in Hollinswood. I select my tenants very carefully and they are responsible and look after my properties. If they contact me with a problem, I respond to their concerns quickly. Most stop for a long time. It is a system which has worked well for me for many years. Hollinswood is a pleasant estate, which is why I chose to buy properties there.

" At a recent packed meeting of the Wrekin Landlords Association, about 80 landlords and agents were unanimous in their opposition to this. I think that this scheme will backfire on the LHA when landlords move away from renting in these areas. Telford cannot afford to have these properties taken out of the rental market. If I am right, then the LHA will be left to deal with a bigger problem than it has now and councillors will have to explain to their superiors why this scheme did not succeed. They are taking too big a risk.

"Selective licencing was not devised to be used in this way. Places to be selected should be much smaller to include just a few houses or a road, not whole areas like Telford and Wrekin want to do. A better name for it in this case would be "carpet licencing" or "blanket licencing." They want it to cover whole areas which have no problems, but do include many landlords, including myself who are being unfairly penalised. The council should take action just in problem areas."

Telford & Wrekin Council says only parts of Hadley, Leegomery, Malinslee, Hollinswood, Brookside, Sutton Hill and Woodside are proposed to be affected by the licensing, a total of about 2,000 addresses.

Angie Astley, assistant director for neighbourhood and customer services on the council, has urged as many people as possible to take part in the consultation.

She said: "It is only after the results of the consultation have been evaluated that any further decision would be made.”

The consultation started on June 12 and will end on August 21.

Find out more information about the proposal and to complete a survey visit telford.gov.uk/selectivelicensing