Council to proceed with selective licensing scheme after High Court rejects judicial review bid

The local authority formally designated the scheme on 3 October 2024.

It was due to come into effect in March this year, but was delayed by the legal challenge brought by a group of affected landlords.

The council said the selective licensing scheme covering private rented homes in the Crosby and Park, and Town wards would “drive up housing standards and crack down on anti-social behaviour, crime, and deprivation”.

Landlords in the designated area will have to obtain a licence to operate private rented properties.

North Lincolnshire has confirmed that licences under the scheme are set to cost £955 for the five-years ending in March 2030, and landlords can apply for a licence from 6th October.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, described the High Court’s dismissal of the landlords’ attempt to halt the scheme as a “clear win for residents.”

He added: “We will not stand by while rogue landlords exploit vulnerable tenants or allow properties to fall into disrepair.

“This scheme is about protecting communities, raising standards, and holding people to account.”

Cllr Waltham added: “We’re sending a strong message: if you’re a landlord who does the right thing – maintains your properties, treats tenants fairly, and contributes positively to the community – we will support you.

“But if you’re cutting corners, ignoring your responsibilities, or profiting from poor conditions, we will come after you.”

Chris Norris, Policy Director at the National Residential Landlords Association, offered a differing viewpoint:

“The overwhelming majority of private landlords provide high-quality rented accommodation. But when licensing schemes are introduced there is always the risk that such costly measures can act as a ‘tax on good landlords’.

“When it comes to addressing the minority of rogue and criminal landlords in the private rental market, we need more robust enforcement of existing regulations. The main focus of local authorities should be to use their existing powers to root out those individuals who have no place in the rental market.

“At a time when the private rented sector is experiencing an unprecedented shortfall in the number of available homes for rent, we urge councils to ensure they don’t take steps which will further reduce the supply of desperately needed homes.”

Harry Rodd