A landlord licensing scheme for all private rental properties is being recommended for parts of Brighton. All private residential landlords would have to apply for a licence costing £670 for five years and comply with licence conditions. 

Brighton & Hove City Council says licences are needed to help tackle poor property conditions, reduce deprivation and help prevent homelessness if tenancies are ended abruptly. But two-thirds of landlords who responded to the consultation opposed the scheme, saying it could it lead to fewer rental properties on the market. 

The initial five-year scheme would start in September and affect 2,100 properties in Kemp Town, Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, Queens Park, and Whitehawk & Marina. The council also wants to extend the scheme to a further 9,500 properties in 13 other wards across the city. 

Under government rules it is currently seeking permission from the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to do so. Councillor Gill Williams, chairperson of the housing & new homes committee, said: “We want to raise standards in privately rented homes in the city to make sure that all tenants in the sector live in safe, healthy and well-managed homes.”