PROPOSED SELECTIVE LICENSING SCHEME

From: "Hannah Thorpe" <Hannah.Thorpe@thanet.gov.uk>
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2010 10:44 AM
Subject: PROPOSED SELECTIVE LICENSING SCHEME

Local people are being asked for their views on a proposal to introduce
a new licensing scheme for privately rented accommodation in parts of
Margate Central and Cliftonville West.

The new selective licensing scheme is being proposed to help tackle the
high levels of problems in the area, such as anti-social behaviour,
crime, fires and empty properties.

Under the new scheme, landlords in the designated area would be
required to apply for a licence for every privately rented flat, house
or room in order to continue to operate in the area.  The licence will
contain a series of conditions that the property owner will be required
to comply with relating to the management of the property, fire safety
and anti-social behaviour.  Landlords who own more than one property in
the designated area would need to apply for a licence for each of the
units of accommodation they rent out.  There would be a charge of £525
per licence which landlords would be required to cover.

In other places where this type of scheme has been introduced,
landlords have seen improvements such as less damage to properties,
reduced management costs and a slower turnover of tenants.  It is also
anticipated that in the longer term as well as improving the image of
the area and helping to improve the condition of housing, possible
benefits could also include the possible rise in rent and property
values.

Before adopting this scheme, the council is encouraging tenants,
landlords and residents in the area to have their say on the proposal.
Everyone living in the area will be contacted by letter with details
about the scheme and with information on how to take part, including a
short tear out survey.  A survey is also available to complete online by
visiting www.thanet.gov.uk, or any additional comments can be submitted
in writing either to hannah.thorpe@thanet.gov.uk or free of charge to
Selective Licensing Consultation, FREEPOST SEA 82 73, Thanet District
Council, Margate CT9 1XZ.

Cllr. Chris Wells, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "The
council is fully aware of the problems that exist in these two wards and
we're committed to doing everything we can to tackle them. One of the
biggest issues for many years has been the huge supply in this area of
privately rented housing. Bringing in a licensing scheme for these
properties will help to ensure better regulation and could help to
achieve some significant improvements in the area.  Before adopting the
scheme though it is important that local people have an opportunity to
tell us what they think of the proposals. I'd like to encourage anyone
who has a view, to make sure they take part in the consultation."

Local people have until Monday 15 November to submit their comments.  A
full copy of the proposal can be viewed online or by calling in to
Thanet's Gateway Plus.

ENDS

To view all of the online details please go to:
http://www.thanet.gov.uk/council__democracy/consultation/selective_licensing.aspx
or you can find this via the front page of TDC's website (under Have
your say).

Hannah Thorpe
Corporate Communications and Marketing Officer
Thanet District Council
www.thanet.gov.uk
Direct Dial: 01843 577120
Fax: 01843 296866

Press Release: SHAPPS GIVES MORE POWER TO COUNCILS TO SOLVE LOCAL PROBLEMS WITH SHARED HOMES Published

http://www.communities.gov.uk/newsstories/housing/1617184

SHAPPS GIVES MORE POWER TO COUNCILS TO SOLVE LOCAL PROBLEMS WITH SHARED HOMES

17 June 2010

Housing Minister Grant Shapps is handing over more power to councils so they can manage high concentrations of shared housing in their area, without putting off landlords from renting the homes people need. 

Power to tackle problem areas

Areas with lots of shared homes, known as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), have often created problems for local communities. Neighbourhoods with too many properties let to short term tenants often attract crime and have problems with litter and anti social behaviour.

Mr Shapps is giving councils more flexibility so they can focus on controlling the unplanned spread of shared homes in problem areas, but avoid tying landlords in unnecessary red tape.

"Local people know the local problems they face - they don't need top-down diktats from Whitehall telling them how to solve them"

Changes to legislation will give councils the freedom to choose areas where landlords must submit a planning application to rent their properties to unrelated tenants - known as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

Grant Shapps said:

"Local people know the local problems they face - they don't need top-down diktats from Whitehall telling them how to solve them, or indeed telling them to solve problems that don't exist in their area in the first place.

"I'm not going to create unnecessary costs for landlords that could damage the rental sector and limit the number of properties available for rent, particularly when so many young people working in our towns and cities rely on sharing with friends for an affordable home. 

"That's why I want to give councils the flexibility they need so they can use planning rules to control the spread of shared housing in neighbourhoods where they cause problems, without tying local landlords in red tape where shared housing causes few, if any, problems at all." 

Landlord fears

The problems that arise from concentrations of HMOs are not widespread and current rules impose an unnecessary burden on landlords and councils in those areas where HMOs are not a problem. 

It also runs the risk of reducing supply if landlords choose to move out of the sector rather than face the costs and delays of applying for planning permission.

It is estimated that as many as 8,500 planning applications could be submitted each year if every landlord looking to turn their property into a HMO is first required to seek permission - instead, councils will be able to focus their efforts in particular neighbourhoods where HMOs present a problem, while landlords of HMOs in other areas will not be tied up in red tape.

Press Release: CONSERVATIVE MINISTER ABANDONS THANET RESIDENTS

16/06/2010

CONSERVATIVE MINISTER ABANDONS THANET RESIDENTS

Conservative Housing Minister Grant Shapps has this week explained that he has abandoned Labour plans to introduce new regulations for private rented sector landlords.  The move to cancel a National Register of Landlords, regulation of letting and managing agents, and compulsory written tenancy agreements is bad news for seaside towns and is seen as 'blank cheque' support for rogue landlords across Thanet by local Labour councillors.

Cllr Iris Johnston - Labour Shadow Member for Housing said "much of my time as Shadow Member for Housing in Thanet is spent in helping tenants who suffer through indifferent and often absentee landlords. The Labour Government ensured Thanet District Council had many of the legal ‘tools’ and funding to  force improvements to privately owned properties. In Margate Central and Cliftonville West considerable progress had been made to owner occupied properties as well as those to let through Margate Renewal projects. With the Conservatives complete lack of interest in social housing and the cutting of funds to the Home and Communities budget  the most vulnerable will be  hardest hit and it is my fear  any progress on improving the area will be soon lost"

Labour Group Leader Cllr Cllive Hart said "Ward councillors, particularly those in Margate, Ramsgate and Cliftonville, have been supporting council officers attempts to deal with the shocking disregard that too many landlords have for decent standards here in Thanet and some progress has been made. However, this stance by the new Conservative Minister will slowly undo all our good work.  Decent landlords had nothing to fear from proper regulation but it's now become obvious that the new Conservative government puts the support for rogue landlords above that of local residents and tenants".

Published by Thanet Labour Group, 44 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 3DP. 

Notes to editors:

During Communities and Local Government questions on 10th June Housing Minister Grant Shapps explained that the Government has no plans to introduce new regulations on the private rented sector.
New regulations were proposed by the previous administration in response to the Rugg Review of the Private Rented Sector. These included a National Register of Landlords, regulation of letting and managing agents, and compulsory written tenancy agreements.