Selective licensing - a first for Salford

Salford the first for new landlord clampdown

Salford has become the first local authority in the country to obtain formal approval from The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) on the 26th February 2007, to introduce new measures to clampdown on unscrupulous landlords

‘Selective Licensing’ means that from the 25th May 2007, private landlords who have properties in the Seedley & Langworthy area will now be required by law to apply for a landlord licence, with fines of up to £20,000 if they're found to be operating without them.

In order to be granted with a licence, landlords will have to meet certain criteria, which include passing a fit and proper person test and providing information about their management arrangements.

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 helping reduce anti-social behaviour. This, in turn, would increase rental values and property prices helping create a community that everyone finds good to live in.

Said lead member for housing, Cllr Peter Connor: "Being the first authority to introduce selective licensing shows Salford is at the forefront when it comes to putting the interest of its communities first. It also compliments the wider regeneration that Salford City Council is helping deliver.

"Licensing will allow us to take action against the minority of poor landlords and give residents more confidence in the many good ones who provide a valued service to our communities."

"Our landlord licensing team will be working closely with landlords in Seedley and Langworthy over the coming months to offer help and advice wherever necessary."

This potential trailblazer scheme will run until 24th May 2012 and is the latest of several initiatives in the city to tighten up on how landlords operate and to encourage them to work in the interests of their tenants.  

Residents, tenants and landlords who wish to find out more about landlord licensing should visit the landlord licensing web page, call 0161 793 3344 or email landlord.licensing@salford.gov.uk.

This page was last updated on 4 October 2009