Brighton has become one of the latest councils planning to launch a mandatory blanket licensing scheme of private landlords.
Labour-run Brighton says landlords would have to pre-agree standards before they could be granted a licence.
Brighton and Hove has one of the highest proportions in the country of households living in the private rented sector, with almost one-third of private housing stock being rented.
But the scheme, which is planned for implementation next year, has met with opposition.
Conservative housing spokesman Garry Peltzer Dunn said: “Both Manchester and Milton Keynes carried out trials [on mandatory licensing] but concluded that it was costly and ineffective at tackling rogue landlords and could also be open to legal challenge.
“We all want to see the small minority of rogue landlords brought to book, but there is a real danger that the cost and additional red tape will simply drive good landlords away.”
Meanwhile, Doncaster is further down the road than Brighton, with a consultation now going on. However, it proposes to introduce blanket licensing in just one area, Hexthorpe, rather than across the whole town. Hexthorpe, which is on the edge of Doncaster, has a large ethnic population, including a number of Romas, and is earmarked for regeneration.
Local landlords should research the figures that police publish around ASB on http://www.police.uk – Do some sums and you will be surprised at the results. I did this for Milton Keynes and when I showed there was a 29% reduction in one year their case started to leak oil, which calmed the waters and after consultation it never went through. Neeeext! 🙂
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When councils introduce blanket licensing I can't help feeling that sometimes it's simply to raise additional revenue; especially now they are getting caught out with their dodgy car parking penalties.
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Why can honest people not make a living!
Why make it harder for private landlords?
It is only a small minority of landlords that need this now all landlords falling foul.
LEFT WING GOVERMENT OR MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC "Hmmm these people are making an honest living and doing well for themselves….. what can we do, I know make their lives more difficult. We will not give them a reasonable pension when they retire and god forbid they try and secure their own future"
I am proud to be British, love my country and love my industry but sometimes the most stupid things are implemented that make me really mad!
Another way Brighton is shooting itself in the foot, the Green Party have made a real mess of the city and this is just mad!
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