A property licensing scheme is set to be reintroduced in Netherfield in a bid to improve housing quality across the town.
Gedling Borough Council is relaunching the scheme, known as Selective Licensing, that makes it mandatory for landlords to have licences for each of their private rented properties.
The scheme was successfully launched in 2018 in Netherfield, and was expanded to Colwick, Carlton Hill, Daybrook and Newstead Village in November 2022.
The Netherfield scheme ended in September 2023 and, following a consultation, the council now plans to make the ward a selective licensing area again.
The new designation covering Netherfield begins on January 5, 2025 and will run until January 4, 2030. The council is now accepting applications, which can be submitted online through the Selective Licensing page on the council’s website.
The licence requires that licence holders manage their properties effectively and safely. The council will work with landlords and residents to improve the area but where necessary use the licensing conditions and enforcement powers to bring about improvements.
“We helped over dozens of residents with improvements, and we are confident that the scheme will be a success again.” – Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE
Selective Licensing can be applied in areas where there is deprivation, high levels of antisocial behaviour, high levels of crime, high levels of migration and poor housing conditions. The licensing gives the council’s Environmental Health team powers to do more when landlords are not taking steps to deal with issues relating to property standards and management.
The scheme, which ran from 2018 – 2023 in Netherfield, was hailed as a success with 662 landlords applying for a licence. Over 81% of properties inspected by the council were found to contain hazards that required work to protect the health and safety of the tenant.
52 properties inspected had imminent hazards around areas such as fire safety and inadequate fire protection or detection, which all required immediate action. Civil penalty notices were also issued in relation to twenty-two properties for failing to apply for a licence.
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE said the scheme had brought about some ‘incredible improvements’ to living standards.
He said: “Selective Licensing reduces hazards, makes homes safer and helps landlords to ensure private properties are being well managed and maintained.
“We carried out a consultation with landlords and we have taken their comments and feedback into consideration.
“We helped over dozens of residents with improvements, and we are confident that the scheme will be a success again.”
You can find out more about the scheme by visiting: www.gedling.gov.uk/resident/housing/selectivelicensing/
