Luton is rolling out two new landlord licensing schemes after the council won a long-running legal battle with Luton Landlords & Letting Agents Ltd.

The campaign group challenged the council’s selective and additional licensing designations, arguing that Luton had relied on outdated evidence, misled councillors about the schemes’ financial viability, and unlawfully structured licence fees.

Challenge rejected

The challenge was first rejected by the High Court and later by the Court of Appeal before the Supreme Court refused permission for a further appeal.

The High Court found the campaign group did not have sufficient interest to bring a judicial review claim and that there was no arguable ground of challenge. The Court of Appeal upheld that decision.

Local Government Lawyer reports that the schemes came into force on 1st June. One requires smaller houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) to be licensed throughout the borough, while the other covers privately rented homes in the town centre and Park Town areas. Both schemes require landlords to obtain licences and comply with management standards.

We can now move forward and continue making meaningful improvements for residents across Luton.”

Councillor Alia Khan (pictured), Portfolio Holder for Housing, says: “Successfully defending the legal challenge means we can now move forward and continue making meaningful improvements for residents across Luton.

“I believe that every resident deserves a safe, secure and comfortable home. That is not negotiable. These measures are an important part of our wider work to improve housing conditions and tackle issues that impact local neighbourhoods.

“Most landlords are responsible. But for the ones that aren’t, this gives us the power to act.”