Licensing rules to stop rogue landlords extended
GoogleA drive to crack down on rogue landlords and anti-social behaviour in a city's problem areas has been extended for another five years.
Newcastle City Council will continue measures requiring all private landlords in the Byker Old Town area and the Greater High Cross area of Benwell to obtain a £1,000 licence and comply with strict rules on their tenants' safety and living conditions.
The selective licensing restrictions, which have been used for the last 15 years, will now stay in force until September 2031.
Councillors were told the measures had helped improve the quality of housing but anti-social behaviour remained above the city average.
The restrictions apply to 533 private rented properties in Byker Old Town and 325 in Greater High Cross.
The licence comes with conditions including that homes are kept in a safe condition and action is taken to prevent and deal with anti-social behaviour, at the risk of prosecution.
Landlords raised concerns about the cost of the licences during a consultation on the extension plans.
Many viewed the system as an "extra financial burden with no clear benefits", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Meanwhile, tenants who responded to the consultation "indicated uncertainty or reported no noticeable impact" from the scheme, a council report said.
But the Labour-led authority said renewing the licensing measures would help increase community safety and improve property standards.
A council report said the scheme would "ensure private sector rented housing is well managed and good landlords are supported" while "those failing to meet their obligations are actively dealt with".
Other parts of the city covered by selective licensing schemes also include Cowgate and Lemington.
