Public events for Selective Licensing Consultation set to begin

The Council wants your views on the introduction of the proposed scheme with the aim of improving housing standards in privately-rented homes, and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.

Selective Licensing would mean that all private landlords must hold a valid licence before renting out a property. Landlords would need to ensure that their property is up to standard to meet their licence obligations.

The public consultation began on January 27 and will run for 10 weeks, ending on Monday April 7.

There are a number of ways to give your views. Full details about the proposal including fees, licence conditions and scheme boundaries can be found at www.nelincs.gov.uk/have-your-say.

Here you can also have your say by answering questions and leaving comments. There are questions for each type of stakeholder together with a library of all the documents about the proposed schemes. A paper copy of the scheme can be provided upon request.

The face-to-face and online events will give people the opportunity to speak to NELC’s housing team, who can outline the purpose of the scheme and the reasoning behind it, and answer any queries.

The events have been split into three categories, offering residents, landlords, and neighbours and businesses the opportunity to give their views. They will run as follows:

Residents’ Drop-in Sessions, Face to Face:

Tuesday 11th February - St Johns, St Stephen & Shalom Church Centre, 226 Rutland Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN32 7LT. 1-7pm.

Tuesday 18th March - St Johns, St Stephen & Shalom Church Centre, 226, Rutland Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN32 7LT. 1-7pm.

On-line Session: Wednesday 12th February. 5.30-7pm. To join go to www.nelincs.gov.uk/have-your-say

Landlords’ Drop-in Sessions, Face to Face:

Friday 21st February - Bremerhaven Suite, Town Hall, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, DN31 1HU. 1-7pm.

Thursday 13th March - Doughty Learning Centre, Town Hall Street, Grimsby, DN31 1HX. 1-7pm.

On-line session: Monday 17th February, 5.30-7pm. To join go to www.nelincs.gov.uk/have-your-say

Neighbours and Businesses who may be affected:

On-line Session: Wednesday 19th February, 5.30-7pm. To join go to www.nelincs.gov.uk/have-your-say

Cllr Stewart Swinburn, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “We would like to hear from anyone who would welcome and support the Selective Licensing scheme or be affected by this proposal, so please come along to our public events. It is very important that we gather as many views as possible.”

Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe, Chair of the Cabinet Working Party on Selective Licensing, said: “Whilst we acknowledge that there are many decent landlords out there providing good quality housing and support for their tenants, significant challenges persist in the private rented sector across parts of the borough, particularly in the East Marsh, Heneage, and Sidney Sussex wards.

“The scheme aims to create a partnership between landlords, tenants, and the council to improve housing standards and provide better rental opportunities.

“With this consultation we are inviting residents, landlords and stakeholders to share their views and work together to shape a better future for our community. Please come along to the consultation events because this is your opportunity to tell us what you think.”