x
By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies to enhance your experience.

A body calling itself the Campaign Against Landlord Licensing is calling on those against local authority licensing regimes to contribute towards a judicial review of one council's policy, seen as a test case which may determine the future of the policy elsewhere.

A high court judge has already decided our case has merit. We need support and have set up a fighting fund to indemnify the landlord bringing the case against Enfield [council] the campaign spokesman Graham Collier has told Letting Agent Today.

The funds are being raised online through www.looseminute.com/enfield.

Local investor Constantinos Regas - a landlord with just one property - took Enfield to court after it set out proposals wanting landlords to pay £500 for a five-year licence from the authority. From April 2015, failure to do so risks a £20,000 fine and a criminal record, with more specific breaches of any licence conditions carrying a £5,000 fine.

Regas insists that Enfield Council has failed to demonstrate that housing in the borough is badly managed, or that there is a clear link between anti-social behaviour and the private rented sector. I am appalled that the council can label tenants in this way."

On October 3 at the Royal Courts of Justice, Mr Justice Ouseley found that the council's decision in relation to the licensing of single family private rented dwellings was taken lawfully, based on the information provided to the Council's cabinet.

However, he ruled that the local authority had not applied its mind to the legal requirements for licensing of other private rented sector property and the decision by Enfield Council was arguably unlawful. He gave permission to proceed with judicial review of that part of the licensing scheme, affecting 40 per cent of rented property in the borough, according to the council's own estimate.

The date and full extent of the judicial review depends on funds being raised and the campaign is suggesting supporters pledge a minimum contribution of £100 per property.

Comments

  • icon

    In my view this Council scheme is just a money raising ploy and should be seen and exposed as that.

    • 28 October 2014 14:29 PM
MovePal MovePal MovePal