Birmingham City Council announces Selective Licensing Scheme for all private properties in 25 wards in the city
Birmingham City Council is to pursue a Selective Licensing Scheme in the city. The proposed Selective Licensing Scheme will cover 25 wards where the Private Rented Sector is above 20% of properties and the wards have high levels of deprivation and/or crime.
Councillor Shabrana Hussain, Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods for Birmingham City Council (BCC), said ‘The aim of introducing the new scheme is to drive up standards across the private rented sector. As well as ensuring that all the properties provide fit and proper accommodation, we can also attach appropriate conditions covering issues from waste bins to tackling Anti Social Behaviour. In order to help landlords with their new responsibilities free training will be available.
The Selective Licensing Scheme will ensure that BCC has the powers to proactively identify private rented sector properties and join up with other services such as the police to tackle issues such as antisocial behaviour that may impact on the neighbourhood. Improving standards will hopefully lead to a more stable community living in better accommodation that enable all tenants to reach their potential especially children ”
Birmingham City Council undertook extensive consultation before progressing the proposed scheme. This included meeting with Elected Members, focus groups and a flyer drop at all 125,000 properties in the 25 wards. Over 800 responses were received from landlords, residents (including tenants), and businesses/organisations. There was significant support for the scheme from residents and businesses/organisations.
Responses included a call from residents outside the proposed wards to be included in the scheme. While this is not possible as their ward did not meet the original evidential thresholds set, officers have commenced gathering city wide data related to whether a potential additional licensing scheme should be pursued in these wards or areas.
Due to the size of the scheme BCC are required to submit an application to government for approval of the scheme. If approved it would be the largest scheme in the UK covering between 40,000- 50,000 properties with the cost of a licence to landlords will be £700 for up to five years.
The plan is for the scheme to commence on 1 April 2023.
Notes to editors
The wards are
- Acocks Green
- Alum Rock
- Aston
- Balsall Heath
- Birchfield
- Bordesley Green
- Bordesley and Highgate
- Bournbrook and Selly Park
- Edgbaston
- Gravelly Hill
- Handsworth
- Heartlands
- Holyhead
- Ladywood
- Lozells
- North Edgbaston
- Small Heath
- Soho and Jewellery Quarter
- South Yardley
- Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath
- Sparkhill
- Stockland Green
- Tyseley and Hay Mills
- Ward End
- Yardley West and Stechford
