The Council’s Selective Licensing Scheme requires all landlords who privately rent out properties within the designated areas to obtain a licence from the council.
The following streets have been designated which you can also view on a map.
The scheme came into effect on 12 September 2022 and will end on 11 September 2027. It aims to improve private rented properties and the health of tenants by ensuring that all property within the designated area is managed to a satisfactory standard and are safe and free from serious hazards prior to a licence being granted.
The scheme is being used to tackle problems in areas caused by poor property standards, anti-social behaviour, low housing demand, migration, deprivation and high levels of crime. The benefits are:
All private landlords with residential property within the designated area need to apply for a licence for each property.
In order to become a licence holder they must be a fit and proper person and must declare certain convictions or breaches of certain laws.
A landlord has to meet a certain standard before they can legally rent out a property, this includes showing basic safety checks have been carried out and that they have appropriate management arrangements in place.
All landlords (unless exempt) who rent out a property in the designated area will require a licence.
To apply for a Selective Licence, please download and complete an application form:
The guidance document will help you complete the form and also explains how you can submit your application once completed. If you own several properties or a block of flats you will need to complete a separate application form for each property or flat.
Properties with a mandatory HMO licence are exempt. There are also a number of other circumstances which mean you do not have to apply for a licence. See a full list of exemptions here.
From 12 September 2022 the designated area contains some streets that were affected by the previous selective licensing scheme. If you have a licence for the previous designated licence then you will need to submit a renewal application when the date of your current licence ends. There is a reduced fee for a renewal which is £300 and is also subject to the discounts available subject to it being a full and valid application and received within 6 weeks of the licence renewal date.
Once an application has been received an invoice for payment will be sent to the landlord which will be calculated based on the type of the property and any eligible discounts as detailed below. Please DO NOT send a cheque with the application form as this will not be processed. Fees
| Property/ Licence Type | Standard Fee | Accredited Landlord discount |
Introductory Discount (1) |
Multiple property discount (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application for a new licence for a single property |
£507 |
- £50 | - £100 | - £50 |
|
House in Multiple Occupation (not subject to mandatory HMO licence) |
£620 | - £50 | - £100 | - £50 |
| Application for a licence renewal for a single property | £327 | -£50 | -£100 | -£50 |
(1) for complete applications received within 6 weeks of the required application period for the property based on the phase
(2) applies for the cost of the second and subsequent properties
Discounts are not applicable for the following:
- An application that has been received and is invalid due to missing information or supporting documentation.
- An application for a licence received 6 weeks after the scheme came in to force, or 6 weeks after a property has become licensable
- An application for a renewal that has already expired. This will also be subject to the new licence application fee
Licence conditions are attached to each licence which relate to the management of the property. Under the terms of the Housing Act 2004, several conditions are also mandatory.
They include:
These conditions mean that landlords will have to upgrade currently unsafe or unhealthy properties and will enhance the protection available to tenants. In addition to the mandatory conditions the council has attached local conditions which are available here. These conditions will be monitored by the council to ensure they are being complied with.
Failure to comply with any of the conditions of the licence could lead to a financial penalty of up to £30,000. In this situation the council would consider whether to revoke the licence and take over the management of the property.
It is also a criminal offence to let a privately rented property in a designated area without a licence. Failure to apply for one could lead to an unlimited fine or a civil penalty of £30,000.
It is also a criminal offence to make a false statement in an application for a licence or fail to comply with any condition of a licence.
The council has a Housing Enforcement team which utilises a wide range of tools to tackle poor property condition, inadequate tenancy management and improve conditions in the private rented sector.
These are detailed within the Housing Enforcement Policy
As part of a coordinated approach, Selective Licensing will compel landlords to maintain good standards and raise the profile of problem properties that have gone unnoticed previously. Through the increased awareness amongst the community and across agencies, Selective Licensing will become a valuable mechanism for identifying and dealing with bad practice amongst private landlords and assist landlords to meet their obligations for tackling anti-social behaviour caused by tenants.
A comprehensive database is being developed of the private rented sector within East Staffordshire and it is envisaged that by introducing Selective Licensing in the proposed area, it will strengthen this system.
Application can be made for a Temporary Exemption to licence a property within the Selective Licensing Area under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004.
Temporary exemptions can only be applied for if you are in the process of returning the property to owner occupation.
A landlord can apply for a Temporary Exemption notice where they intend to take steps to ensure that the house does not require a licence. For Example:
You cannot use a Section 21 Notice to evict tenants from a property that is subject to licensing, if you do not have a licence.
To apply for a temporary exemption notice please contact us for an application form.
The Council keeps a register of Selective Licences issues and Temporary Exemption Notices. You can view the registers on-line or in person by making an appointment to visit our main office.
