East Staffordshire Borough Council has approved plans to introduce a selective licensing scheme, following a public consultation, to the following streets within Burton upon Trent:
• Blackpool Street
• Branston Road
• Broadway Street
• Goodman Street
• King Street
• Queen Street
• Shobnall Street
• Uxbridge Street
• Waterloo Street
Cllr Bernard Peters, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing Standards said: “Selective licensing is designed to help improve housing standards in areas where there is a high rate of poor quality and reported poorly managed properties.”
Following the designation, all landlords or management agents will be required to licence their properties if they rent a property within the streets listed above.
A map of the area can be viewed at: http://www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/housing-and-property/landlords/selective-licensing-scheme
The designation will come into force on 12th September 2022 and will have effect until 11th September 2027. This will apply to any residential property which is let or occupied under a tenancy or licence within the specified streets above, unless one of the exemptions specified in the Housing Act 2004 applies.
East Staffordshire Borough Council are committed to improving the standards of private rented accommodation within the borough. This designation applies to approximately 750 private rented homes within Burton upon Trent, where we receive the highest amount of housing disrepair complaints, and aims to improve management standards and the conditions of private rented housing.
Landlords must meet mandatory conditions to ensure good management of private rented properties, including:
• An up to date gas safety certificate
• An up to date Electrical Installation Condition Report and safe condition of electrical appliances and furniture
• Fitted smoke detectors installed on each storey of the house on which there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation, and to keep such alarm in proper working order
• A carbon monoxide alarm installed in any room in the house which is used wholly or partly as living accommodation and contains a solid fuel burning combustion appliance, and to keep any such alarm in proper working order
• A written tenancy agreement provided for each tenant with a written statement of the conditions of the terms on which they occupy the house
• The Licence Holder must obtain references from persons who wish to occupy the house
• Additional conditions are also specified by East Staffordshire Borough Council to improve specific issues
Landlords must apply for a licence if they rent a property in the designated area. Failure to obtain a licence can result in an unlimited fine. A management order may also be made for the property and an application can be made for a rent repayment order requiring the repayment of rent or housing benefit.
Any landlords, managing agents and tenants within the designated area are advised to seek advice from East Staffordshire Borough Council’s Environmental Health Team to determine whether their property is affected by the designation.
Further details on how and when to apply are available at www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/housing-and-property/landlords/selective-licensing-scheme