One of Britain’s largest local authorities is poised to clamp down on the private rented sector.
Leeds City Council is considering setting up its own letting agency, and launching a selective licensing scheme for some areas.
The move is significant because Leeds currently operates only mandatory HMO licensing.
Otherwise, it has gone down the route of a voluntary accreditation scheme while using legal powers to prosecute bad landlords and deal with sub-standard accommodation.
It is proposing that a council-run agency would offer a full service to private landlords including tenancy agreements and inspections.
The council is also considering setting up a rogue landlord unit, and charging landlords when the council has to take enforcement action to remove hazards.
Cllr Debra Coupar, executive member for communities, said: “The proposals the executive board are being asked to consider would put us in a far better position to help ensure there is supply of affordable, warm, welcoming and safe homes to rent on the private market with support through our own letting agency and targeted enforcement.
“The proposed agency would be of particular interest to people who have yet to build up the knowledge and experience you need to become a responsible landlord.”
Comments (1)
Is it me of does the last paragraph imply lets catch new landlords before they know what they are doing! So where are they going to find all this stock of housing to provide “there is a supply of affordable warm and welcoming and safe homes to rent in the private market” I guess another question should be is it “intra vires” to spend council tax payers money to set up and run such ventures? and who is responsible for the costs if it fails?