North East Lincolnshire is preparing to tighten controls on private landlords to address substandard housing conditions and deprivation. The selective licensing scheme, necessitating landlords to pay a fee and maintain certain housing standards, is anticipated to be implemented in regions of Grimsby’s East Marsh area within the succeeding six months. An initiative of similar nature is also scheduled for Scunthorpe.
The scheme is aimed at improving living conditions and reducing crime and is backed by Stewart Swinburn, the council’s portfolio holder for housing. Landlords are expected to pay between £899 and £1,284 over a five-year period, with incentives for early applicants. The council is optimistic that this will promote better housing standards and cater to the needs of residents in these less-privileged areas.
Despite this, the National Residential Landlords Association has voiced concerns, arguing that the measures penalise good landlords without efficiently tackling unscrupulous landlords. The execution of the scheme follows a 10-week consultation, which resulted in some streets being excised from the proposal.
These steps are being undertaken at a time when Lincolnshire is grappling with a housing deficit, and local authorities are being encouraged to find a balance between regulation and maintaining the supply of rental homes.
This story was edited from original reporting from www.bbc.com by Lincoln Post.
