A Labour-controlled Rotherham Council has announced plans to reintroduce selective licensing across several areas of the borough, claiming that a previous scheme helped uncover serious housing hazards and even illegal drug operations.

The earlier selective licensing scheme, which ran until earlier this year, reportedly delivered “significant results”. Over 2,300 properties were inspected, leading to landlords being required to address more than 8,000 hazards. Some 13% of homes were found to contain the most serious Category 1 hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.

The council also issued 155 Emergency Prohibition Notices, declaring those homes unsafe for habitation.

In addition, the previous scheme was linked to the discovery of £40 million worth of illegal cannabis farms, while more than 2,000 cases of anti-social behaviour and nuisance were addressed. The council says the scheme led to 15 successful prosecutions, with another 23 cases still ongoing.

New Scheme Targets Areas with Poor Conditions

If approved later this month, the new licensing scheme will cover neighbourhoods identified as having poor property conditions or high levels of deprivation.

The council says it intends to offer training opportunities for landlords and implement area improvement plans alongside enforcement measures.

A council spokesperson said:  “The simple truth is that in some parts of the borough, too many private tenants are living in unsafe and poorly maintained properties. Dangerous electrical connections, damaged walls and ceilings — even, on one occasion, a property with everything including the toilet in just one room — no one should have to live like that.

Poor housing has knock-on effects for people’s health and for the state of the wider community. There are honourable exceptions, but too often landlords in these areas have been too slow to step up and meet their responsibilities.”

“Discounts for Responsible Landlords”

The council insists it has listened to feedback from landlords and residents, particularly around the cost of licensing and its potential impact on rents.

“Our plans include significant discounts for proven responsible landlords,” the spokesperson added. “The worst-case scenario for tenants, even if the full cost is passed on, is an increase in rents of less than £1 per week. But the flip side of this is that the costs of the scheme will fall disproportionately on those who try to opt out of their legal responsibilities.”

The council says it has also redrawn proposed scheme boundaries following public consultation.

“We won’t resile from our obligations to tenants and communities who are left at the sharp end of poor housing,” the spokesperson concluded. “Ultimately this is about working together to create safer, healthier communities.”