Blackpool Council Proposes Selective Licensing Scheme

If the proposed scheme is implemented and the central area (comprised of three wards: Bloomfield, Brunswick and Talbot) has been designated for selective licensing, it will require all private landlords in the area to have a licence and meet the subsequent conditions. The licence holder can be the owner of the property or an appropriate person appointed by the owner, e.g a managing agent.

All landlords under the scheme would need to submit a valid application for each property they wish to rent out. In order to obtain a licence will need to demonstrate that they are a ‘fit and proper’ person, offering good and fair management of tenant relations alongside having suitable arrangements in place for the property.

The proposed licence conditions include the requirements to have written tenancy management arrangements to prevent or reduce anti-social behaviour by tenants, recommending monthly inspections to ensure the property is not in a state of disrepair.

The council is proposing a standard licensing fee of £775 per property, with dwellings that the council deems suitable meeting the ‘Blackpool standard’ paying a rate of £542 (30% discount) alongside promotion on the council website.
A £100 early bird fee discount will also apply to applications for each property made during the first three months of the scheme.

The 10 week consultation is open until 8th June. You can find details of the proposal on the council website here; you can also read the full consultation here.

If you have any further questions about the consultation or the proposal itself then please contact the council’s Housing Strategy Team on 01253 476812