Selective licensing scheme for Luton landlords called 'unlawful' and a 'mess' by critics

But the local authority says forging ahead with a flawed system would have made the situation far worse.

The Labour ruling group on the borough council planned to introduce its selective licensing scheme to regulate landlords of privately rented accommodation in five areas of the town.

But a notice of legal action was served on the council on July 30, after a group of landlords and letting agents got together and instructed a solicitor.

“The decision by the executive committee in January was unlawful,” said the group.

The landlord selective licensing scheme was due to be introduced in the five designated areas of Luton on August 1.

“The row over the council’s failure to actually start its licensing proposals for town centre private landlords rumbles on,” according to the Liberal Democrat opposition group.

“Some landlords are complaining that, as it includes more than 20 per cent of the private rented homes in the town, the council needs government consent to introduce it,” said group leader and Barnfield councillor David Franks.

“If local landlords know the way it’s being organised doesn’t comply with the regulations, why did it come as a surprise to the local authority?” he asked.

“How did the borough council get into this mess?

“The scheme was originally set to start in April 2018, but has been subject to several delays and remains nowhere near a start date.

“We recognise that most Luton landlords are responsible people and companies, but not all are.

“There are still some local landlords who appear happy to keep on renting out squalid substandard accommodation, including sheds in gardens.”

But the Liberal Democrat councillors are committed to supporting the council plan, he added.

“Some landlords are opposing licensing because they say it’s unnecessary and they don’t want to pay for it.

“Unfortunately, others don’t want to be made to improve substandard accommodation.

“This scheme could start the process of getting the worst up to the standards of the best, if the council does its job properly.

“We want to see the licensing system introduced as soon as possible.”

The legal challenge also impacts the council’s ambitions to restrict houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in the town.

Under the selective licensing scheme, the council can charge landlords a fee for a five-year licence in a similar way to HMOs.

A council spokesman said: “Improving private sector housing for tenants is a key priority for the council and links to our Luton 2040 ambitions.

“Work continues to provide a strong updated evidence base for any project we bring forward to ensure we’ve a strong and vibrant rented sector, which offers security, stability and decent homes.

“The local authority remains committed to bringing forward a scheme.

“The decision not to go ahead in August was because of a technical error which the council has acknowledged already.

“To have progressed when we were aware of this would have been even worse,” he added.

“A timeline will be shared when the evidence has been reviewed.”