Landlords with properties in Manchester have been urged to have their say on the city’s latest plans to expand selective licencing.

Nine new schemes covering 1,900 private rented homes have been proposed across six wards in: Whiteway Street, Harpurhey; Leng Road/Melrose Street and Scotland Street, Miles Platting & Newton Heath; Viscount Street and Heald Grove, Moss Side; Enver Road, Crumpsall; Heathcote/Sanby Road, Longsight; Northmoor Road, Longsight; and flats above shops on Cheetham Hill Road and Esmond/Avondale, Cheetham.

There are about 90,000 private rented homes in Manchester, where nine selective licensing schemes already cover 2,000 properties across eight wards, with 3,406 properties having been fully licensed since licensing started in 2017. Last May, five more schemes opened covering 700 homes.

Hazards

Councillor Gavin White (pictured), executive member for housing and development, says the council has uncovered more than 1,700 hazards in Manchester homes following nearly 900 property inspections, which would have gone unchallenged without the licensing schemes in place. It has also handed out 21 civil penalty notices and 250 legal notices.

White adds: “Selective licensing is a necessary tool to help us support residents living in private rented sector properties as there are fewer regulations in place nationally to hold property owners to account and ensure the homes they are renting are safe and provide quality accommodation for their tenants.

“If you live in one of the proposed selective licensing areas – or you own a property in the area – we are looking for your feedback. Your thoughts will be invaluable as we look to expand licensing to more of Manchester’s private rented sector homes.”

Its consultation ends on 22nd July.