Many councils have continued with their plans to roll out landlord licensing defying many calls for them to freeze their plans due to the pandemic.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has also urged councils to be cautious with licensing proposals.
However, some councils have continued with their plans including Havering Council in London.
It defended it’s decision saying; “The council will delay proactive enforcement operations until the end of March 2021. The timescale may be further reviewed if London is still in lockdown. When enforcement action resumes, the council will concentrate on properties where tenants have complained about poor housing conditions”.
“Licence applications submitted with missing paperwork will be accepted and processed. The council appreciate there are difficulties gaining access and are mindful of the public health concerns associated with visiting properties at this time.”
New additional and selective landlord licensing schemes came into force in Havering. That means that in addition to the mandatory HMO licensing scheme that applies across England, Havering has two additional licensing schemes and one selective licensing scheme.
In Manchester, where we are based, the areas currently covered by Selective Licensing are: Crumpsall, Moss Side and Rusholme, Old Moat & Moston.
Other areas can be added by the council at anytime but at the time of writing there are currently no concrete proposals to extend licensing to other areas.
You can find further information on the exact areas and streets covered by Selective Licensing in Manchester by visiting the council website here.
If you have a large property or HMO you currently let or just planned to let, but with all the uncertainty in the market and licensing, you are considering your options, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We specialise in these types of properties and can help you to evaluate your options.
Call 0161 850 5588 or email info@armisteadproperty.co.uk
Thanks for reading
Peter Armistead
Founder, Armistead Property
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