An update will be given for landlord’s licensing in the ward.
Minutes:
Tony Cawthorne (Selective Licensing Manager) was present to provide an update on Selective Licensing for Landlords in the Westcotes ward.
The Selective Licensing Manager provided an overview on Selective Licensing which highlighted the following:
· 310 properties had been identified and obtained licences since 2020.
· Since January 2021, legal actions had been taken involving 85 emergency prohibition notices and 104 electrical safety issues identified.
· 361 overcrowding assessments had been carried out since January 2022.
· The Selective Licensing Scheme was underway within 3 identified clusters, which were a part of the Westcotes, Fosse, Saffron, Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields and Stoneygate wards.
· Applications must be made through the Councils website at: www.leicester.gov.uk/selectivelicensing. Members of the public can also check if their property is in the applicable areas.
· Discounts were available as a sign-up incentive to landlords, businesses and residents.
Councillors discussed overcrowding and the overcrowding assessment process. It was noted that all overcrowding cases will undergo an assessment before being enforced.
It was noted that selective licensing staff were trained to oversee all aspects of a property during inspections before providing a licence, as well as to sign post relevant areas of authority for any concerns they may have about the property in question.
Councillors and the Selective Licensing Manager discussed the discounts available and noted the Gold Leasing Scheme that the Council provides to tenants. ACTION: Tony Cawthorne to provide the link for the Silver, Gold and Platinum Leasing Scheme to the Chair.
A member of the public expressed concern about the ability for properties in the ward to reach the AB or C tiers in energy efficiency. Councillors expressed further concern over any property improvements being sub-contracted out to multiple contractors and leaving residents confused and unaware, resulting in a potentially more expensive process for residents and issues for the vulnerable.
The Selective Licensing Manager noted that the legal limit on for energy efficiency for properties was grades F and G, which were not allowed to be rented out. Grants were noted to be available, such as the Local Authority Delivery grant, in which tenants in receipt of benefits can assist landlords to receive. The Government’s new standard was in place to bring energy efficiency in homes to C by 2025.
It was noted that all landlords that signed up to the Selective Licensing Scheme would be provided with ongoing help and advice for any assistance required. All landlords undergoing assessments with the scheme would be worked with to solve any issues and given time to resolve any concerns before a licence was provided. It was noted that the scheme worked with and assessed all properties using the Housing Health and Safety rating system, which evaluated properties against 29 identified hazards.
After an enquiry by a member of the public, it was noted that tenants are responsible for the proper removal of waste and information for waste collection for specific properties can be found online. Any concerns about waste in the ward can be reported to the City Warden for the Westcotes ward, Marlon Gray.
The Selective Licensing Manager noted that after 2.5 years, the scheme would be analysed to review whether they were meeting their targets. After the fifth year, the scheme would either end or extend for another 5 years if there was noted to be further work.
It was noted that there was a legal requirement that a property was properly licensed and that a tenant could potentially request up to 12 months housing benefit back if the property was not licenced. Further information could be found or requested from the Selective Licensing Team online on their website.
Councillors were happy with the report and the support the scheme hopes to bring to the community in encouraging families to make their home in the ward and increase community cohesion.
The Chair thanked the Selective Licensing Manager for the update.