Selective licensing scheme for landlords to be rolled out in 5 Luton wards

The local authority wants to tackle poor conditions in the town’s private sector stock under a selective licensing scheme for landlords.

The idea of a property licence for all privately rented accommodation in five areas of the town was backed by the executive in January.

The wards are Biscot and Dallow, as well as parts of Farley, South, and High Town and the scheme will come into effect after July 1.

The council can charge a fee for a five-year licence in a similar way to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Labour Challney councillor Tom Shaw told the executive committee this month: “We’re finally there. The one thing we still needed to do was agree the fees.

“For the first month, it will only be £150 a property for five years, which is £60.60 a week,” he explained.

“The second month it will cost you £250 a property for five years, which works out a pound a week.

“After that, it’ll be £480 for anyone we catch and £30 a room on top of that.

“Rather than go for criminal prosecution we hope to go for civil prosecutions, because with a civil penalty the money stays within council funds.”

The local authority can set fees for the scheme to make it self-funding, but not to make a profit, according a report to the committee.

“The scheme would be operated on a full cost recovery basis for all of the administration, processing, inspection, compliance and enforcement functions,” said the report.

Selective licensing schemes cover all rented properties in a defined area, and for the landlords to be a fit and proper person.

Liberal Democrat Barnfield councillor David Franks said: “You’re aware that our group are fully behind you on this.

“It was the scrutiny board which suggested you go for town-wide if you can get away with it.

“I do understand why you’re going to take the civil route because you keep the money in-house. That’s very sensible.

“But a word of warning, if you get a county court order for the money and the landlord resists, you could end up spending quite alot of money to enforce it.

“Getting a county court judgement isn’t the same as getting a payment.

“So it’s not quite as straightforward as it seems, but it’s obviously the right way to go.”

Councillor Shaw, the executive member for housing and environment, replied: “Anyone not paying up, there’ll be no excuses.

“We’ll just go straight to court and I hope they get a criminal conviction.

“Under the licensing scheme, if they’re not a fit and proper person they won’t be able to operate anymore.

“We believe after a couple of years we should be looking forward to giving grants to the private sector for home insulation grants and that kind of thing.

“We need to include the exemptions, as housing associations and registered social landlords are exempt from selective licensing,” he added.

“Charities which provide letting accommodation are not exempt from requiring a licence, but a provision of the housing act does allow us to review these.

“The letter will go off in the next fortnight informing the government that we want to make it town-wide.”

The executive approved the selective licensing scheme fees, with the exemptions included.