Landlord licensing scheme extended

This is an archived news story from August 2009

A scheme to clamp down on unscrupulous landlords, introduced successfully in parts of Salford two years ago, will be extended to another area of the city from November.

The city council was the first local authority in the country to obtain government approval for Selective Licensing, which requires private landlords of properties in Seedley and Langworthy to be licensed.

Now the council has won approval for much of Broughton to come into the scheme for five years, covering the area north of Great Cheetham Street West.

The aim of Selective Licensing is to ensure all rented properties are well managed, acting as an incentive for people to rent in the area and to help curtail anti-social behaviour. This in turn promotes rental values, property prices and a community 'feel good' factor.

Anti-social behaviour linked back to private landlords and low housing demand resulted in Broughton being chosen for the scheme.

Before it comes into force on 2 November, the council will write to landlords of around 1,000 known rental properties, providing advice about the scheme and inviting them to apply for a licence.

To obtain it, landlords have to meet certain criteria. These include demonstrating they are fit and proper persons and providing information about their management arrangements.

Licensing officers acknowledge they cannot be aware of all landlords in the newly designated area and invite tenants who are concerned about standards in their property to call 0161 793 3150.

Since the Seedley and Langworthy regeneration area came into the scheme, the council has prosecuted four landlords for renting properties without a licence.

In the latest case, on 4 August, Ian Badcock, of Kingsnorth Road, Urmston, was fined a total of £1,800 and ordered to pay £636 costs. He pleaded guilty in respect of three premises, in Spring Gardens, Langworthy Road and Pembroke Street.

The court heard that the total cost of licensing the three premises was £905 until the end of the five year scheme in 2012.

Councillor Peter Connor, lead member for housing, said: "Licensing allows us to act against the minority of poor landlords and give tenants much more confidence in the good ones.

"While the Council will continue to provide help, advice and support to landlords, we will prosecute those few who do not take their obligations seriously."

More on landlord licensing in Salford.