A consultation has begun on a new licensing scheme for landlords to improve standards in the private rented housing sector. The consultation runs until 21 August 2022 and gives local people, tenants, landlords, letting agents and other interested individuals and organisations the chance to comment on the proposals by Nottingham City Council to introduce a second ‘Selective Licensing’ scheme, requiring private landlords to obtain a licence demonstrating that they and their properties meet the required standards.

Privately rented housing has grown considerably within Nottingham including 45,500 properties as of 2021 and a Selective Licensing scheme or ’designation’ may be made if an area has a high proportion of private rented homes and meets one or more conditions laid out in the Housing Act 2004. The council believes a new licensing scheme should be considered for a large area of the city including Bulwell, St Ann’s, The Meadows, Hyson Green, Radford, Forest Fields and Lenton.

It says that this is based on: Significant or persistent problems caused by anti-social behaviour, poor property conditions, high levels of deprivation, and high levels of crime.

Councillor Toby Neal, portfolio holder for housing and human resources, said: “Many of the 45,000 plus privately rented properties in the city are well-managed but, as part of the first scheme we still find properties that are to a very poor standard. Homes with damp and mould, homes with no smoke alarms or hot water or heating, so there is more work to be done.”