Drive to crack down on rogue landlords in two problem areas of Newcastle extended
A drive to crack down on rogue landlords and anti-social behaviour in two problem areas of Newcastle has been extended for another five years.
Newcastle City Council will continue measures requiring all private landlords in parts of Byker and Benwell to obtain a licence and comply with strict rules on their tenants safety and living conditions.
The ‘selective licensing’ restrictions, which have been used for the last 15 years and will now stay in force until September 2031, apply to 533 private rented properties in the Byker Old Town area and 325 in the Greater High Cross area of Benwell.
Landlords must pay £1,000 to obtain a licence, which comes with conditions including that their homes are kept in a safe condition and that action is taken to prevent and deal with anti-social behaviour, and can be prosecuted if they do not comply.
Senior councillors were told last week that the measures had helped improve the quality of housing in both areas but that, while there had been progress, anti-social behaviour remained above the city average.
Landlords did raise concerns about the cost of the licences during a consultation on the extension plans, with many viewing the system as “an extra financial burden with no clear benefits”.
Tenants who responded to the consultation “indicated uncertainty or reported no noticeable impact” from the scheme, a council report said.
However, the council said that renewing the licensing measures would help increase community safety and improve property standards.
Labour councillor Paula Maines, the council’s cabinet member for housing, told a cabinet meeting last week: “There are good landlords in the area and they have seen property prices and rent increase and they are finding that their properties are easier to let over the last 15 years. The challenge for us is ensuring investment to make the housing stock in the area fit for purpose and ensuring everyone has a safe space to live.”
Other parts of the city covered by selective licensing schemes also include Cowgate and Lemington.
A council report added: “The proposal to introduce Selective Licensing aims to provide private rented tenants with a greater choice of safe, good quality and well managed accommodation. It will ensure that private sector rented housing is well managed and good landlords are supported and those failing to meet their obligations are actively dealt with.
“Greater regulation, enhanced by increased landlord and tenant support, will reduce ASB, improve the quality of homes, stabilise communities and improve the health and wellbeing of tenants. The scheme will ensure landlords seeking to exploit tenants are tackled and do not gain advantage.”