Armley could be the latest area to benefit from a scheme which requires residential landlords to obtain a licence to let property to tenants.
Members of the council’s decision-making executive board will next week discuss proposals to extend a ‘selective licensing’ pilot scheme in Gipton and Harehills and Beeston & Holbeck wards to Armley, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, and Hunslet and Riverside wards.
The executive board report recommends councillors approve the development of potential business cases for all five wards and make a final decision at a future date.
The aim of selective licensing is to improve the quality of life for residents, ensuring a consistently high standard of management of private rented homes which, the council argues, makes a positive contribution to the area.
Anyone who is granted a selective licence will need to comply with certain conditions which aim to keep tenants safe, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, and ensure that properties are maintained to a satisfactory standard. The fee for a selective licence is £825 per property or unit of accommodation.
The council report – which can be read here – states 4,000 residents in Beeston and Harehills now live in better quality accommodation but acknowledges the Covid pandemic had affected the number of properties which could be inspected at the start of the scheme.
Councillor Alice Smart (Lab, Armley) welcomed moves to introduce the scheme in Armley. She said: “Rachel Reeves MP and the Armley Labour councillors welcome the news that a proposal to extend selective landlord licensing to Armley, will be brought to Exec Board this month.
“Ever since Leeds City Council rolled out a selective landlord licensing policy in other parts of the city, we have been campaigning for this policy to be introduced in Armley. We welcome the benefits this policy would bring to local renters, such as reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and ensuring that properties are maintained to a satisfactory standard.
“While many private landlord are operating in the right way, we know that there are some disreputable landlords in Armley which cause problems for local tenants. A selective landlord licensing policy will help us address these problems head on.
“We’re delighted that Leeds City Council have listened to us and the people of Armley and we look forward to continuing to work together to improve conditions for private renters.”
The executive board will meet at 1pm on Wednesday, 13 March in Leeds Civic Hall.
Volunteered 5 years at a well known advice service. Saw some horrendous photographs of homes private rogue landlords thought acceptable for people to live in. Tenants complained, they were given section notices to quit. We’ve gone back to Rachman days in some areas.
Selective Licensing in Harehills caused rents to double and standards are still the same. Licensing is not about standards, it’s about the council pocketing £16m and not putting it back into the community. All whilst tenants pay this tax.
Conditions and standards constantly need to improve, regardless of a scam scheme