Still time to give your views on introduction of Selective Licensing scheme

North East Lincolnshire 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. So far, local residents, landlords, and neighbours and businesses nearby have had the opportunity to attend a number of face-to-face and online events to discuss the scheme and give their views.

The consultation is open for a further five weeks and during this time there will be opportunities for anyone who has not yet attended an event to do so, and to speak to NELC’s housing team, who can outline the purpose of the scheme and the reasoning behind it, and answer any queries.

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. There are also copies of recent presentations specific to residents and landlords.

The next events will take place as follows:

Landlords’ Drop-in Sessions, Face to Face: Thursday 13th March - Doughty Learning Centre, Town Hall Street, Grimsby, DN31 1HX. 1-7pm.

Residents’ Drop-in Sessions, Face to Face: Tuesday 18th March - St Johns, St Stephen & Shalom Church Centre, 226, Rutland Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN32 7LT. 1-7pm.