Council launches selective licensing consultation

 

 

 

The move is aimed at improving the management of privately rented dwellings and reducing anti-social behaviour within designated areas of the Milton, Kursaal and Chalkwell wards.  

Currently, only houses of multiple occupation consisting of three or more storeys with two or more households of at least five people have to be licensed.

But the Council proposes using its powers under the Housing Act 2004 to extend its licensing powers to other privately-rented residences in specified areas of the three wards.

To do this the authority is required to consult with landlords, management agents, residents, businesses and other interested parties who may be affected by a change in licensing policy.

Any interested parties will be able to complete a short questionnaire which also allows space for additional comments.

Residents, tenants and landlords within the designated streets will be contacted and consulted via mail-outs, whilst any other interested parties are also welcomed to make representations.  

The consultation, which commenced today (Friday 1st July), will run until Friday 23rd September and if the proposal receives approval, the new licensing powers would come into force in 2012.

The areas where the Council is proposing to introduce selective licensing are:

* Town Centre Area (Whitegate Road to Herbert Grove)

* Kursaal ward Area (York Road and nearby roads) and

* Station Road Area (Station Road and roads south within the Milton and Chalkwell wards).

Full maps of the proposed areas can be found on the Council's webpage at www.southend.gov.uk/selectivelicensing

Councillor Lesley Salter, Executive Councillor for Adult Social Care, Health & Housing, said:

"Selective licensing will help us bring about real change in these three areas.

"The vast majority of landlords and tenants in Southend are responsible people who behave in a reasonable manner.

"But anti-social behaviour has been on the increase in these areas, aided and abetted in some instances by poor management.

"Every property in the town should reach an acceptable standard but too many are dilapidated, sub-standard and badly run.

"Selective licensing will enable us to bring the majority of privately rented properties in these three areas under our control and help us improve quality of life for everyone in the borough."

For full details of the scheme, including downloadable questionnaires, a list of the streets included in the proposed selective licensing areas and other information, visit www.southend.gov.uk/selectivelicensing