A council is urging agents to help landlords comply with a new licensing regime.
A new Selective Licensing Scheme came into operation in Great Yarmouth this month and private landlords have until June 30 to apply and complete the necessary paperwork.
The introduction of the scheme – which mirrors those in operation in many other places across the country – followed a public consultation and the council says it will help ensure a thriving housing market where people have homes that are healthy, safe and efficient.
The scheme covers specific wards and streets to an area of about 5,000 homes covering about 60 per cent of the borough’s privately rented properties.
The council claims it is designed to improve housing standards by making sure homes meet minimum standards and will promote better letting management practices, ensuring that properties are well-maintained and tenants’ rights respected.
A spokesperson says: ”Over the past few months we have been meeting with landlords and agents and have hosted a number of successful drop-in and online sessions to help explain what people need to do to make sure they comply with the new scheme.
”We have already received more than 350 applications and things are bedding in well, but we want to do all we can to make sure people have all the information they need to successfully obtain a licence.
”More ‘onboarding’ events are planned and we have teams on hand to help landlords and agents understand what they need do.”
The scheme will last for five years and is not allowed to make a profit.
The costs of running the scheme will be self financing and are covered by a licence fee of £694 for landlords – a reduction from the £784 which was originally proposed.
The council spokesperson adds: ”We have existing powers around housing, but this will allow us to more effectively deal with a range of issues that affect people. We will be better able to tackle health hazards and overcrowding – which is a real problem for some people.
”We know the majority of landlords want to do the best they can for tenants but, where standards are not good enough, we can now hold people accountable.”
