Landlords in Grimsby have failed to convince council bosses to ditch a proposed selective licensing scheme in the town.
North East Lincolnshire Council has approved the scheme following a 10-week public consultation, and reports that 60% of the 202 residents who took part backed the scheme, whereas most landlords did not. While residents were satisfied that the council had looked at several other options to combat problems, landlords disagreed.
The council insists that the scheme is designed to collaborate with landlords and tenants to help residents live in their homes longer, by working towards making it a better place to live.
East Marsh is in the top 1% of most deprived wards in the country; life expectancy is the lowest in the borough, and it has the highest crime rate.
However, it was agreed that streets to the south of Durban Road in its East Marsh ward would not be included within the boundary, which will now exclude Cooper Road, Columbia Road, Fairmont Road and any inter-connecting streets.
During the consultation, officials estimated the licence fee would be in the region of £899-£1,284. However, landlords and tenants expressed concerned about the cost and whether it might impact on rents.
The council says it is mindful of the impact of the licence fee on landlords and will try to operate the scheme as efficiently as possible. It also proposed to conduct a review of the fee structure and delivery mechanisms to ensure the scheme delivers value for money.
Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for housing, infrastructure and transport, says: “Selective licensing will enable conditions for good and sustainable homes, allowing residents to live a healthy life, nurturing our children and building their future, supporting our adults and contributing to clean and safe streets.”
The council hopes to implement the scheme within six months.
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