A legal bid to block stricter rules for landlords in part of Scunthorpe has failed.

A landlords’ association had launched a judicial review against North Lincolnshire Council’s plan to introduce selective licensing in areas covering parts of Crosby and Park, and Town Wards.

Selective licensing allows councils to impose higher housing standards on private landlords and charge a fee to fund the scheme.

The challenge delayed the original rollout, which was set for March 20. However, the landlords’ association has now confirmed to Scunthorpe Live that the legal action was unsuccessful.

The proposed selective licensing zone covers areas including Mulgrave Street, Burke Street, Diana Street, and part of Frodingham Road, with around 1,230 privately rented homes affected.

Scunthorpe Landlords Association — formerly Crosby Landlords’ Association — sought a judicial review, questioning whether North Lincolnshire Council had followed proper procedures in introducing the scheme. However, the High Court rejected the challenge on procedural grounds, including the timing of document submissions, according to association chair Gurch Singh.

Judge Saffman dismissed the case and ordered the association to pay £10,000 in legal costs.

Following the ruling, Singh called for “urgent reform” of how the judicial process handles landlord challenges to selective licensing. He urged for “greater leniency for technical service issues, particularly for litigants-in-person”.

Once introduced, the scheme will require private landlords in the designated area to obtain a licence to operate, with a proposed fee of £955 covering the five-year period.

To retain a licence, landlords must meet specific standards — such as keeping smoke detectors and gas certificates up to date, and responding to anti-social behaviour linked to their properties.

In October, the council agreed to monitor housing conditions for six months in a proposed licensing zone in part of Frodingham Ward. If “significant improvements” are not seen, that area may also be brought under selective licensing.