Landlords could face a £765 bill for delaying their selective licence application when Thurrock Council launches its proposed scheme.

The authority hopes to introduce licencing in every ward except Little Thurrock Blackshots, Orsett, Stifford Clays, and The Homesteads, and has set the standard fee at £1,002, which jumps to £1,767 if landlords fail to apply within 12 weeks of the scheme’s launch date. Those applying on paper would also be hit with a £500 surcharge.

Thurrock Council believes selective licensing will directly contribute to reducing anti-social behaviour and repeat incidents. Its report explains: “Licensing will require landlords to put in place appropriate tenancy management practices, including clear tenancy agreements, robust referencing, and timely responses to complaints. It will also provide a formal route for the council to intervene where properties are contributing to neighbourhood disorder.”

It suggests property standards and tenant safety will be improved, while it would allow the council to monitor and enforce standards consistently and even reduce the factors that contribute to deprivation by improving housing quality, reducing instability caused by poorly managed tenancies, and creating a platform for proactive engagement with vulnerable households.

Building capacity

Thurrock also believes licensing can improve the professionalism of landlords and managers, ultimately building capacity in the rental market.

Councillor Mark Hooper (pictured), cabinet member for adults and health, explains that if it goes ahead, landlords of privately rented properties would need to provide higher standard homes to tenants and ensure that their properties’ neighbours are protected before they are allowed to rent out a home in the borough.

He adds: “In turn they will benefit from help and guidance from us and a level playing field for privately rented properties which will help them attract better tenants.”

Landlords can add their views to the consultation at consult.thurrock.gov.uk/selective-licensing-2025 until 21st July.