New licensing scheme aims to boost housing standards for tenants in private rented sector

Proposals for the scheme – which will use a system known as selective licensing to more closely regulate landlords in a number of deprived local communities – were originally announced by Leeds City Council last year.

Following a major public consultation exercise and other detailed preparatory work, a business case for the East, South & West Leeds selective licensing scheme was today (Wednesday, October 15) presented to a meeting of the council’s executive board.

Councillors at the meeting voted to endorse the business case and, as a result, new regulatory arrangements will come into effect in February next year.

All private landlords – with certain limited exceptions – will be required by law to obtain a licence for any residential property they are seeking to let in the area covered by the scheme.

Licence conditions will include ensuring the safe working of gas or electric appliances, providing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and keeping the property in a decent state of repair, both inside and out.

The scheme will cover around 12,500 privately-rented homes in a single continuous area that takes in parts of the Armley, Beeston & Holbeck, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill, Gipton & Harehills, Hunslet & Riverside and Farnley & Wortley council wards.

The green light for the plans follows the positive results achieved by two selective licensing schemes that ran in the Beeston and Harehills areas from 2020 until the start of this year.

More than 6,700 inspections and other visits were conducted by the council at privately-rented properties in those areas while the schemes were in operation.

Improvement work was carried out by landlords at around 1,430 homes where issues were identified, leading to better living conditions for an estimated 6,000 people. Around 400 civil penalties were issued to landlords who failed to do what was asked of them.

The visits also gave council officers increased opportunities to identify situations where tenants were facing non-housing related problems.

This in turn saw more than 1,900 referrals being made to partner agencies that could support people with health, financial and other challenges.

The police’s work to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour was also regularly aided by intelligence and information gathered during the inspections.

Under the terms of the Housing Act 2004, however, selective licensing schemes in England can only run for a period of five years.

Conscious of that cut-off point – and the results achieved since 2020 – the council has for some time been considering the introduction of an expanded scheme that would again operate in Beeston and Harehills but would also cover a wider swathe of the city.

The business case presented to executive board today confirms that the designated area meets government-set conditions – relating to deprivation levels and proportion of privately-rented housing – for the implementation of selective licensing.

Income received from licensing fees will be ringfenced to cover the cost of running the scheme.

Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said:

“We are determined, as a council, to ensure that everyone in Leeds can enjoy the stability and sense of security that comes with having a safe, warm and well-managed place to live.

“To do this, we need to focus on all types of housing – including private rentals, which account for a fifth of the city’s homes.

“I’m delighted, therefore, that the business case for a new and expanded selective licensing scheme has been endorsed by the council’s executive board.

“Today’s decision means we can now press ahead with preparations for the introduction of a scheme that we believe will make a huge difference to the standard of privately-rented homes.

“Given the clear link that exists between poor housing and poor health, it’s our hope that this scheme will also have a really positive impact on the general wellbeing of residents in disadvantaged communities.”

Consultation on the council’s plans took place over a 12-week period late last year, with drop-in events, radio and bus advertising, social media activity, targeted e-mails and questionnaires all being used to reach as many people as possible.

More than 2,000 questionnaires were returned by landlords, residents and stakeholders, with a range of views – both supportive and critical – being expressed. As has been the case during consultation on selective licensing schemes approved in other parts of the country, landlords voiced opposition to the plans.

Following today’s executive board meeting, the council will now take steps – such as the placing of public notices in local newspapers and contacting consultees direct – to maximise awareness of the new arrangements ahead of their introduction in February.

ENDS