Thurrock landlords have failed to persuade the council that a selective licensing scheme is unnecessary and too expensive.

Councillors in the Essex borough have voted to approve the scheme which goes live in January 2026 when landlords will be hit with a £1,034 licence fee. Those who leave their property unlicensed for at least 12 weeks will have to stump up £1,767.

A consultation over the summer found 60% of respondents supported selective licensing as a way to address persistent issues such as poor property management and anti-social behaviour. However, 29% opposed the scheme, with 75% of landlords and letting agents arguing that the fee was too high.

Benefit

One landlord said: “The fee is nothing but a cash grab and will only lead to higher rents in the area.” Another argued: “Both myself and the tenant would see no benefit in this. I would never use it and if you did impose this fee, I would have to pass it on to the tenant and increase her rental income to cover it, which isn’t fair.”

Thurrock’s PRS has expanded significantly over the last decade, now accounting for 23% of all housing in the borough. The council believes its new scheme is a step forward to raise its standards in the sector and ensure all landlords are held to the same standard of responsibility.

Secure

Councillor Mark Hurrell, cabinet member for social housing (pictured), adds: “I am pleased that this new scheme will give us the tools to ensure that the private rented sector plays its proper part in providing safe, secure, and well-managed homes for Thurrock residents.”

All Thurrock wards will be covered by the new scheme except Little Thurrock Blackshots, Orsett, Stifford Clays, and Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park.

Earlier this month, Thurrock announced that it would introduce additional licensing borough-wide at a cost of £1,040 for smaller HMOs.

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