Peterborough Council boasts that its aggressive approach to selective licensing has driven significant improvements in the town’s private rental sector.
Launched last March in partnership with licensing platform Home Safe, more than 7,000 licence applications were received and processed in the first year, with more than 6,476 licences issued by the council generating a revenue of nearly £6 million.
The scheme – charging landlords £908 for a five-year licence - covers 40% of all private rented properties, and includes the Bretton, Central, East, Fletton and Stanground, Fletton and Woodston, North, Orton Waterville, Park, Paston and Walton and Stanground South wards.
Each licensed property has two inspections during the five-year licence period to help identify and address issues early.
Nearly 1,500 properties have been inspected, and more than 6,500 safety hazards identified; 49% of properties had at least one serious issue, including damp and mould, faulty electrics, or poor ventilation.
After each inspection, Home Safe gives landlords a report outlining any hazards identified and the steps needed to address them, while automated reminders cover renewal of key safety certificates, such as gas safety records and energy performance certificates.
It believes the proactive approach has already led to safety improvements in thousands of homes.
Councillor Alison Jones (pictured), cabinet member for housing and communities, says the fact so many issues have been resolved in a short space of time shows how effective the scheme has been. “I would like to thank those landlords who have joined the scheme and are working with our officers to improve standards,” she adds.
Last month, the council announced that up to 1,800 smaller HMOs could soon need a licence under a city-wide additional scheme. There are an estimated 2,500 HMOs in Peterborough - up from 1,410 in 2011 – and 2,000 are thought to be unlicensed, most of which will be three to four bedrooms. The consultation ends on 31st July.
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