Councillors in Great Yarmouth are being urged to approve a major new licensing scheme covering 5,000 privately rented homes, in a bid to tackle poor housing conditions across the town.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council says the expanded scheme – which introduces tougher inspections and wider enforcement powers – would apply across the wards of Nelson, Central and Northgate, Southtown and Cobholm, and Yarmouth North.
It would replace the existing programme covering just 1,500 properties, a scheme landlords have long criticised as costly and ineffective.
The council, where no party holds overall control, is set to vote on the proposal on 2 December. If approved, the new licensing regime could come into force next year, marking a significant escalation in efforts to raise housing standards.
Paul Wells, a Conservative councillor and portfolio holder for licensing, said: ”We would [if the scheme is approved] be able to systematically inspect properties to make sure things like gas and electric certification are up to date, rather than simply reacting to complaints as we currently do.”
”Where necessary, we could refuse to issue a licence and hold people accountable,” he added.
A quick search regarding the standard of Great Yarmouth’s mown social housing stock reveals…..
Great Yarmouth Borough Council has been issued with a regulatory notice by RSH following a breach of the consumer standards.
What a shock. Another council unable to maintain safe standards on their own stock, deciding they are the arbiters of safe & quality housing in the PRS. With the RRA in the pipeline, can we either sack off property licensing all together OR mandate a single uniform policy & terms across all of England & Wales with a service mandate that councils must fully process an application within 28 days ore issue the applicant a full refund.
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But, of course, this is not about improving standards in the PRS. Councils have enough powers to inspect and fine rogue landlords. This is a money-making exercise, targeting low-hanging fruit, and which will see no improvement in standards.
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