Crackdown planned on Grimsby’s ‘bad landlords’
North East Lincolnshire Council has voted in favour of a tough new selective licensing scheme for the fishing port town.
A consultation programme has begun in Grimsby over the introduction of strict new rules for landlords in selective licensing scheme after calls for a crack-down on the area’s ‘bad landlords’.
Since 23rd December 2024, the process of implementing a new scheme in England has become far simpler, as they no longer require permission from the Secretary of State.
Grimsby’s East Marsh ward is in the top 1% of the most deprived wards, has some of the highest crime rates in the country and the lowest life expectancy in the borough.

Cllr Stewart Swinburn, Council Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “The borough has pockets of high deprivation, poor quality homes, low housing demand, high levels of anti-social behaviour and crime.”
He adds: “Poor homes have a substantial effect on health and, with selective licensing, we would be saying to landlords that we will not tolerate neglect of our communities, and we are committed to building a better future for all our residents.”
Many homes suffer from appalling conditions, such as severe damp, mould-infested walls, inadequate heating, and hazards that threaten tenants’ safety.”
And Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe, Chair of the Selective Licensing Cabinet Working Group said: “Many homes (in the area) suffer from appalling conditions, such as severe damp, mould-infested walls, inadequate heating, and hazards that threaten tenants’ safety.”
As part of a selective licensing scheme, councils are able to impose whatever conditions are required to raise housing standards, tackle overcrowding or address anti-social behaviour. In this case, the conditions include:

Landlords or letting agents to ensure the exterior of properties are ‘maintained in a reasonable decorative order and in good repair’
Tenants’ rights to quiet enjoyment of the property must be respected – with at least 24 hours written notice prior to entry
Electrical installations and carbon monoxide alarms are to be inspected and certificates checked and kept up-to-date
Anti-social behaviour
Landlords must take all reasonable and practicable steps to prevent and deal effectively with anti-social behaviour; this includes an ‘incremental process’ to investigate complaints against their tenants
The fees for the scheme, which normally cover a five-year period, are thought to be around £899 – £1,284, which is not far off the £1,000 average.
Pic: Grafton Street Grimsby