More than 50 landlords claim to have been “unfairly demonised” by North Lincolnshire Council in its intention to bring in tougher rules on landlords in Scunthorpe.
The Council of Crosby Landlords have challenged council plans for tougher rules on landlords in a part of Scunthorpe. The area affected includes parts of Crosby and Park, and Town wards. It has approximately 1,230 private rented homes.
The council’s cabinet agreed last week to issue the notice required before starting the tougher rules scheme, known as selective licensing. It aims to raise housing standards and crack down on rogue landlords.
The landlords’ group say it is unfair to judge an entire community by the action of a few rogue landlords. They have called it “an unfair tax” too.
In a statement, 53 individuals calling themselves the Council of Crosby Landlords said: “No one is more invested in these wards than we are. Most of us live, work, shop, and worship here. We provide affordable housing in a deprived area, often aiding hardworking migrants, those suffering from poverty, and individuals struggling to own a home. We ensure our properties are well-maintained, safe, and comfortable. “
“While there are a few rogue landlords, they do not represent us all,” the group state, before adding: “This council has unjustly demonised us and introduced an unfair tax due to their neglect and inability to address local issues.”
The landlords’ group wrote to the council before it decided to go ahead with the tougher rules scheme. At the cabinet meeting on September 30, deputy leader Cllr Richard Hannigan said they would receive a full response.
The group says they are still to receive any, after also contacting on September 30 the council’s overview and scrutiny panel.
A council spokesperson said: “North Lincolnshire Council is committed to ensuring we support provision of a safe and healthy place for our communities to flourish and be resilient. The provision of suitable and well managed housing is a fundamental in delivering this outcome, and Selective Licensing meets this priority. We will be responding to the landlords’ letters directly.”
‘We cannot be held accountable for the actions of those who live in our properties’
The Council of Crosby Landlords’ criticisms include limited public support, scepticism over its effectiveness, and concerns regarding licensing fees cost.
They say 51 per cent of the 202 Crosby and Park, and Town wards residents surveyed by the council did not support it, and 93 per cent of private landlords. They have also challenged the council’s assertion that all owner occupiers in the future designated area agreed with the scheme, saying the figure is 70 per cent.
The landlords’ group disagrees it could address anti-social behaviour and fly tipping. “We cannot be held accountable for the actions of those who live in our properties,” the statement says on fly tipping. On anti-social behaviour, the group say: “How can landlords eliminate street drinking, fighting, drug use, alcoholism. Isn’t that the job of the council and police?
The Council of Crosby Landlords claim the “true reason” for the licensing scheme is to make money. “With 1,230 houses in this ward, a registration fee of £955 brings in an immediate £1,174,650 to add to their coffers. In the first year, a further £418,200 would be added by the first year’s fee, totalling £2,091,000. Over five years, they would bring in £3,265,650.
“So, charge the landlords £3 million to fix issues that have nothing to do with them, which should otherwise be covered by the funds raised through the normal Council Tax process.”
The fees landlords will be charged to privately rent are not confirmed. The consultation suggested a total £955 initial registration, and a possible £340 annual fee.
At last month’s cabinet, Labour Councillor Naseer Ahmed asked what collected money would go towards. Cllr Hannigan confirmed it will be on the scheme itself. A council document states fees charged must ensure “the scheme is, as far as it is possible, self-financing but without making a profit”.
Meanwhile, the Council of Crosby Landlords criticised Labour Councillor Lorraine Yeadon’s remark on the tougher landlords’ rules, “it’s worth a go”, as “irresponsible”, adding: “We must remind councillors that schemes cannot be implemented on a whim.”
The statement goes onto say: “Has anyone considered that it might be the council that has failed this area? Maybe a new strategy is needed, one that involves replacing our councillors and team leaders to introduce fresh ideas, energy, and passion into the area.”
Cllr Yeadon said: “The response was a summary of what most local residents told Mashook [Ali] and me and we stand by the comments made. Any of the landlords who live in Town Ward, had the opportunity, as residents, to speak with us.”
Separately, Grimsby Live has seen two recent residents’ emails in the affected area to Scunthorpe’s MP Sir Nic Dakin to express concern.
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
