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Selective Licensing Scheme to be introduced for private rental properties in some parts of Scarborough (11 April 2017)

Date: 11/04/2017
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Selective Licensing Scheme to be introduced for private rental properties in some parts of Scarborough

Scarborough Council has approved the introduction of a Selective Licensing Scheme for privately rented properties within parts Scarborough, designed to ensure that properties are safe and are being managed appropriately.

The Selective Licensing Scheme will apply to parts of the Castle and North Bay wards in the borough, after a decision was made following extensive consultation about the scheme with local residents, landlords and businesses in 2016.

The scheme will take effect from 1 July 2017 and will be in place for a period of five years, operating in areas where there are high concentrations of privately rented properties – of which a large number are in poor condition and poorly managed, said the council.

Landlords of privately rented properties in the relevant areas will need to apply for a licence from Scarborough Council – and then comply with a range of licensing conditions designed to tackle existing problems.

The scheme will enable the council to employ extra staff to undertake inspections of properties – and work with landlords to ensure that all privately rented properties within the designated area meet appropriate standards.

Landlords with properties in the designated area who fail to apply for a licence – or do not comply with the licensing conditions – will be subject to prosecution.

A fine of up to £20,000 may be imposed – in addition, breaking any of the licence conditions could result in fines of up to £5,000 per offence.

Scarborough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Health, Councillor Bill Chatt, said:

“I am pleased to see the introduction of the Selective Licensing Scheme within parts of the Castle and North Bay wards.

“I know that officers from our Residential Regulation Team are constantly dealing with properties in the area, which are simply not up to standard – and, in many cases, unsafe.

“Selective licensing will mean that tenants of privately rented properties in the area will know their home is safe and that their landlord will manage their property responsibly.”


The council has now issued a formal Public Notice for the introduction of the scheme.

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