The Council’s executive will be asked to approve consultation around extending Selective Licensing schemes to up to 12 new locations in the city – around 2,500 homes.
Selective Licensing allows Councils to introduce compulsory licences for all private rented landlords in specific areas to improve property standard and management – and it can also help respond to neighbourhood issues such as anti-social behaviour or waste problems.
The private rented housing sector represents the fastest growing housing sector in the city, which has doubled in the last decade. And although the majority of landlords provide a quality service, some do not and some actively exploit vulnerable people in the city, offering substandard conditions and poorly managed homes.
Selective Licensing is a key tenet of the Private Rented Sector Strategy, which aims to improve living standards and improve neighborhoods for tenants living in areas where there is a large number of private rented properties.
Current pilot schemes were introduced in the city in four areas (See notes below), which has led to 1,741 homes being licensed, 281 have been targeted for follow-up inspections leading to 214 properties having improvement works carried out.
Prior to a selective scheme being implemented, a period of consultation is necessary with property owners, management agents and members of the local community who could be affected.
Following approval to consult by the Council’s executive, consultations will be undertaken in 12 areas of the city where Selective Licensing schemes could be introduced:
- Ben Street (Clayton and Openshaw – approx 105 PRS properties)
- Trinity (Harpurhey – approx 430 PRS properties
- Ladders (Gorton and Abbey Hey – approx 773 PRS properties)
- Flats above shops Hyde Road – Gorton/ Abbey Hey (approx 94 PRS properties)
- Royals – Longsight (approx 64 PRS properties)
- Laindon Road/ Dickenson Road – Rusholme (approx 37 PRS properties)
- Claremont Rd/Great Western Street – Moss Side (approx 318 PRS properties)
- Heywood Street – Cheetham (approx 248 PRS properties)
- Birch Lane – Rusholme (approx 69 PRS properties)
- Esmond/Avondale – Cheetham (approx 76 PRS properties)
- Flats above shops Cheetham Hill Road – Cheetham (approx 60 PRS properties)
- Matthews Lane – Levenshulme (approx 159 PRS properties
If agreed by the Council’s executive, consultations in the areas that selective licensing could be introduced will begin later this year.
Cllr Suzanne Richards, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, said: “We have seen some really positive results from the targeted selective licensing schemes already in place in the city. Greater compliance with safety standards, such has gas safety checks being a key benefit, but also a closer relationship with landlords and tenants.
“We have an opportunity to expand the scope of selective licensing to areas where we know there are a large number of private sector housing and where standards can be improved.
“But before we begin, it’s important that we speak to people living in those areas and landlords so they understand why a scheme might be introduced and what it will mean for the community.”
Selective Licensing is already in operation in:
– Crumpsall
– Old Moat
– Moston
– Old Moat
