Letting agents told to prepare properties or face £30k licensing fines

Agents and landlords in Nottingham have been told to get ready for the introduction of Selective Licensing or risk fines of up to £30,000 or prosecution through the courts.

Failure to comply also means that tenants can apply to a tribunal to claim their rent back for up to 12 months.

LICENSING

The City Council’s Selective Licensing starts on December 1 2023 and covers an estimated 30,000 privately rented homes across most areas of the city.

Rented properties are more likely to have dangerous hazards which could include electrical, gas, fire safety, damp and mould issues.

Councillor Jay Hayes, the City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, says: “People in Nottingham have a right to expect a decent and safe standard of private rented accommodation, which is well managed and maintained.

“Having a licence will allow landlords to demonstrate that they provide decent quality accommodation for tenants, and we will work with landlords to support them to achieve the licence conditions.

“We believe the scheme will improve the reputation of private landlords, as well as Nottingham’s reputation for providing quality housing.

REDUCED COST

And he added: “The cost of licensing will be reduced for landlords who have Nottingham Rental Standard Accreditation via DASH or Unipol.”

It is recommended that agents and landlords apply for a licence after 1 September 2023 as the council is reviewing its licence application form following feedback and is making it quicker and simpler to complete.

Landlords who have properties licensed in the first scheme will not need a new license until their current licence expires. Landlords who have not previously licensed their properties or have new properties within the designation (scheme area) will need to apply.