A new licensing scheme in Nottingham has moved a step closer with the proposal being sent to the government for approval. 

The council’s executive board has now approved a revised selective licensing scheme following an 11-week consultation earlier this year which sought the views of tenants, landlords, letting agents and local people.

The scheme will now be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval, a legislative requirement, with the aim of introducing it from April 2018.

It will be self funding with the cost – £20.96m over five years – covered by income from licence fees.

The cost of a licence for non-accredited landlords is proposed to be £655.

The council claims it received 1,443 complaints about private rental properties last year.