On Wednesday 24 April we formed part of a delegation set up to meet with civil servants from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to discuss the direction the council was taking in introducing a Selective Licensing Scheme (please see background information on this site in articles dated Thursday 21 March 2019, Thursday 11 October 2018, Wednesday 30 May 2018, Tuesday 15 May 2018, Friday 27 April 2018, Friday 23 March 2018 and Friday 23 February 2018).
Along with representatives from Durham Police, the Police Crime and Victims Commissioner's Office, Durham County Council Housing Office and the Cabinet Member for Housing we talked through the work undertaken already in compiling an evidence base to present to the Secretary of State with the intention of introducing a Selective Licensing Scheme in every part of County Durham.
Along with representatives from Durham Police, the Police Crime and Victims Commissioner's Office, Durham County Council Housing Office and the Cabinet Member for Housing we talked through the work undertaken already in compiling an evidence base to present to the Secretary of State with the intention of introducing a Selective Licensing Scheme in every part of County Durham.
At the end of the visit we brought the civil servants to Blackhall Colliery so they could see for themselves the impact that poor quality private sector housing stock can have on our communities. They saw first-hand the effects of pockets of low demand housing, particularly the number of empty properties and the back yards filled with rubbish from opportunist fly-tippers. We told them about the frequent complaints of anti-social behaviour and other environmental concerns reported to us as local councillors, alongside those complaints reported to the police at their local PACT meetings. They acknowledged that we were managing the problem as best we could under difficult, restrictive circumstances, but they also understood the desperate need for effective legislation to bring communities, landlords, agents, housing agencies and other public bodies together if we are to make real and long-lasting inroads into the problem.
Although applying for a SLS is an arduous and long-drawn process it is a legal requirement which the council must comply with if it is to introduce measures which will help to deal with problems relating to housing market decline, crime and anti-social behaviour and other associated issues (please follow the link below for additional information on the SLS process and timetable). If the SLS is to be effective it must be well researched and evidence based and it must be sufficiently sound to convince the Secretary of State that such a scheme is both necessary and that it will have the desired impact on our community.
As we always make clear, the overwhelming majority of private sector landlords take their responsibilities seriously. They provide a vital service and are keen to work with other agencies when problems arise in relation to their properties or tenants. Many of these landlords are based locally and react positively to community concerns. However, many of our settlements have more than their fair share of irresponsible absentee landlords who are prepared to rent out their properties to anyone they choose without adopting any vetting procedures. This can often lead to problems further down the line when there are complaints made about the condition of their properties or the unacceptable behaviour of some of their tenants.
At the moment this group of rogue landlords and agents lies largely beyond the control of the council and other local agencies so a Selective Licensing Scheme, in which all landlords in the private sector would need to acquire a licence in order to let their homes, would help in regulating the private sector and in tracking down absentee landlords when problems arise. It would also help the council and its partners to take swift and positive action in addressing those concerns.
Additional information on the process followed to introduce a Selective Licensing Scheme can be found in a DCC Cabinet report from last year at: http://www.durham.gov.uk/article/19394/Selective-licensing-opportunities-being-explored
