Story: Rohan Francis
Representatives of landlords in Page Hall presented a petition to Cabinet on 16th April in a last ditch attempt to raise concerns about the controversial Selective Licensing scheme a week before its introduction on 22nd April.
The petition highlighted negative effects seen since the scheme was proposed, including stagnation in local house buying, a dramatic drop in local property values and evidence that some high street banks were now refusing to offer buy-to-let mortgages for homes in Page Hall.
Concerns were also raised about the potentially harmful impact Selective Licensing will have on families because of overcrowding rules, and on new migrant families because new tenants have to have two references from previous landlords.
Petitioners also asked why the licence fee could not be paid by instalments like other Council bills, and as offered by other local authorities running Selective Licensing schemes.
The Council's website provides the reason,
“because we do not have to accept licence fees by instalments.”
Council officers told the Messenger that payments have been received for just over 85% of the 274 properties requiring a licence in Page Hall. For the remainder, the Council will take court action against those who have not applied for a licence.
Landlords told the Messenger they remain concerned that the scheme will not address the area’s problems which they feel they have taken the blame for.
Take-up of the Council's Voluntary Licensing scheme, which covers a wider area of Fir Vale, has been very low. Officers said they would be promoting sign-up for this scheme following the introduction of licensing in the compulsory area.