Burnley residents asked for views on landlord licensing expansion
People in Burnley are being asked to have their say on a long-running scheme that improves rented housing standards for tenants and fines landlords who provide a sub-standard service.
Burnley Council has opened a public consultation on the renewal and expansion of a large swathe of its five-year selective licensing scheme, covering the areas of Burnley Wood with Healey Wood and Leyland Road.
Subject to the outcome of the consultation, Lyndhurst Road will also be included in these landlord-regulating zones, that now cover over 40% of the town’s private rented accommodation.
This is on top of last year’s renewal of selective licensing in parts of Trinity, Gannow, Queensgate, Daneshouse and Stoneyholme, and Padiham, which a report to the council’s executive says has reduced the number of empty homes, increased energy efficiency in affected rentals, and reduced reports of anti-social behaviour.
Regarding the expansion and renewal of this scheme, the July 8 report to Burnley’s council chiefs said it was required due to ‘persistent problems caused by anti-social behaviour’ in Burnley Wood with Healey Wood.
It added: “Some or all of the private sector landlords who have let premises in the area are failing to take action to combat the problem.”
Almost every landlord in the area covered by this scheme has to apply to Burnley Council for a license before renting out a property, costing up to £774 per property, with reductions for those accredited through their Good Landlord Scheme.
These fees do not go into council coffers but into the operation of the scheme, which provides training, advice, and property spot checks to ensure landlords are meeting the standards of the scheme.
In order to get the license, each landlord must meet a series of checks. This includes that they are a ‘fit and proper’ person with a current DBS check and no serious criminal history.
They must also prove that their property meets certain standards by providing: gas and electrical safety certificates, an energy performance certificate, and evidence of a proper reporting procedure for repairs and anti social behaviour.
Once the license has been granted, they must continue to maintain the property and take steps to tackle bad behaviour from tenants for the entirety of the five-year period. The council also requires that landlords undergo property management training.
The public consultation, which runs until October 18, can be viewed here.