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Private tenants urged to
check Landlord Licensing database
PRIVATE sector tenants can now
search online to see if their landlord has applied for their property to be
part of the city's Landlord Licensing scheme.
The mandatory initiative, the 1st of its type in a big City; requires
all landlords in the City to have a 5 year licence for each of their rented
properties, as part of a major drive to improve standards in the sector.
More than 8,000 landlords responsible for more than 36,500 properties have
so far started the application process for the scheme, which came into
effect in April 2015.
Interested parties such as freeholders, landlords and managing agents are
now being issued with notices of intention to grant a licence following the
processing of their applications.
More than 500 landlords who have not yet started the application process;
despite reminders; have come to the Council's attention, and could face
additional charges and potential prosecution if they do not apply.
Tenants can now access the
online database
and type in their address to see if their landlord has started the
application process; and let the Council know if it is not on the database.
Councillor Frank Hont, Cabinet member for housing, said:- "This is a
major project which is part of our determination to drive up standards in
the private rented sector and improve the quality of life for tenants.
Liverpool has a growing number of privately rented properties and the sector
is vital in meeting the City's housing needs, so it is important that what
is on offer is of high quality. We have had a very good response from
private landlords, and would like to take this opportunity to thank them for
doing so. To those who have not, our message to them is that they need to do
so as soon as possible or face enforcement action. Already a knock on effect
of the scheme has been a huge increase in applications for membership of our
accredited landlord scheme, CLASS, resulting in thousands of properties
being checked for electrical safety, improving standards in the sector.
This scheme is about giving tenants some expectation of their rights, and
the City Council the power to tackle breaches. Over the 6 months we will be
intensifying our work on compliance to make sure standards are being met."
Landlords who haven't completed the 1st part of the application process can
do so
now. It is also with noting
that the
Landlord Licensing has the backing of campaign groups including Shelter and
Generation Rent.
About the scheme...
► The online application licence fee costs £400, per property and landlords
with more than 1 property will pay £350, for each additional online
application made.
► Members of an accredited or co-regulation scheme approved by the
Council, such as class, will pay £200 per property to recognise that they are already
a good landlord.
► The City Council will determine that the proposed licence holder is a
'fit and proper' person to manage their properties including having regard,
amongst other things, to any convictions for:- dishonesty, violence or drugs
or contraventions of housing or landlord/tenant laws.
► Landlords have to meet a variety of conditions around fire, electric and
gas safety; rectifying disrepair issues; tackling pest infestations; keeping
the exterior in a good state of repair and dealing with complaints about
anti-social behaviour caused by tenants.
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