A property management firm has successfully challenged a local authority at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) over what it described as unreasonable conditions attached to its Selective Licensing scheme.
The case related to licensing requirements imposed on behalf of two landlords in Leicestershire, which AST Lettings Ltd argued went beyond the Charnwood Borough Council’s statutory powers and placed disproportionate burdens on compliant property owners.
The challenge was supported by funding input from Michael Massey of Freckeltons Ltd, alongside affected landlords, with specialist licensing advice provided by Richard Tacagni of London Property Licensing.
A settlement was reached in March 2025, shortly before a formal tribunal hearing, with the Council agreeing to amend or remove a number of the disputed licence conditions.
Selective Licensing in Charnwood was introduced to improve housing standards in two designated wards. However, AST Lettings Ltd raised concerns that certain requirements – including those relating to fire risk assessments, gas safety, waste disposal and ongoing property management – extended beyond the scope of the Housing Act 2004.
“Our goal has always been to ensure a fair and transparent rental market for both tenants and landlords,” said Stephen Nottridge a Director of AST Lettings Ltd. “While we fully support the objective of improving housing quality, local authorities must operate within the law. This ruling provides much-needed clarity and ensures that licensing conditions remain proportionate and legally sound.”
The Tribunal’s decision is expected to have wider implications for the hundreds of landlords operating within the Charnwood Selective Licensing areas, with the local authority announcing in recent days they it will be re issuing amended selective licenses to more than 1,000 landlords in the borough as a result of the Tribunal action taken by AST Lettings Ltd to ensure common license conditions.
