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Landlord licencing schemes are not exactly popular. Landlords all over the UK dislike having to pay hundreds of pounds to secure a licence for operating a rental property. Councils say they are an essential tool in the fight against rogue landlords, but many believe it’s a ploy to bring in more cash.
Great Yarmouth is one such area where the local council has decided to implement a landlord licencing scheme. Landlords with properties in the Nelson area of the city will have to pay £600 per property. This sum can also be paid on a monthly basis over the five-year term of the licence.
Landlords in an Uproar Over Proposed Licencing Scheme
Landlords are unhappy about the new scheme and have accused the council of seeing them as an “easy target”. In addition, the Residential Landlords Authority has examined nitty-gritty of the scheme and concluded that one of the conditions is “unlawful”.
David Smith, the RLA’s Policy Director has written to Great Yarmouth council seeking “immediate clarification” on their position. He says asking landlords to join a support service run by a third-party is unlawful and the council must reconsider this aspect of the scheme.
The council has hit back:
“While the council will be encouraging landlords to apply for a licence through a delivery partner, as this will give landlords access to a great range of offers, services, discounts and support, this is not a condition of the approved scheme and all landlords will still have the choice to apply directly to the council.”
It’s all a Massive Misunderstanding Says Council
The council describes the issue as a misunderstanding and say they will be responding to the RLA and other groups in greater detail.
The plan to implement a landlord licencing scheme in Nelson followed a public consultation earlier this year. The council believes that a licencing scheme will level the playing field for all landlords and improve the living conditions for vulnerable tenants.
