Thurrock Council has been given the go-ahead for its selective licensing scheme after the High Court refused permission for a judicial review.

A group of landlords had managed to halt the Essex borough’s scheme which was due to start on 5th January, forcing the council to respond to a legal claim. Last September, they had failed to persuade the council that its scheme – costing £1,034 - would be unnecessary and too expensive.

Council leader Lynn Worrall (pictured) told colleagues that the judge had decided the council could recommence implementation of the scheme. She said it would be in contact with landlords about when this will take place, including any new deadlines.

Says Worrall: “We were confident that the High Court would agree with the council’s legal position and we are just sorry that the claim has led unnecessarily to a lengthy period of uncertainty for landlords and tenants. We are pleased to be able to move forward with this important scheme that will make a real difference to tenants, encourage good landlords and improve the lives of people living close to private rented properties.”

Wards

Thurrock Council expects more than 15,000 privately rented homes across 16 wards to fall within the licensing areas, while four wards were excluded for not meeting statutory thresholds.

Junaid Ishfaq, partner at letting agent Rentigo, has helped co-ordinate the legal claim with the backing of 193 landlords. They had taken issue with the way the consultation was conducted and objected to the fee.

He tells LandlordZONE: “We are currently working with our legal team and landlord collectives to decide on our next steps.”

Apply

The council says although the claimant has a right to apply for reconsideration of its decision, the request does not affect the court’s decision to refuse permission. “As a result, any restriction on the council’s ability to implement the scheme is lifted,” says a spokesman.

“We understand the disruption this claim has brought to landlords and we will bear this in mind when implementation is restarted. We would like to thank landlords for their patience throughout this process.”

Landlords in Leeds and Great Yarmouth are also currently contesting their licensing schemes.

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