Story: Rohan Francis
Sheffield Council has begun to take action against landlords who have failed to complete their Selective Licensing applications in Page Hall.
Selective Licensing was introduced in the area at the end of April. All private landlords leasing residential property within the licensing area are required to have a licence, costing from £725 for the five years in which the scheme is expected to run.
The Council has stated that all licence applications must include both paperwork and the full fee. Currently, the Council has received complete applications for 229 properties in Page Hall. 9 properties remain unlicensed due to incomplete payment and the landlords of a further 75 properties will be pursued for more information or an application. To date, one landlord has received a fine for not applying for a licence and another is due in court.
Landlords in the area have continued to express concern that licensing has failed to improve the local housing market, with many properties now selling to outside investors for low prices at auction, some as low as £35,000.