William Eichler 12 August 2024

Landlords facing increasing costs due to selective licensing

Landlords facing increasing costs due to selective licensing  image
Image: Clare Louise Jackson / Shutterstock.com.

Thousands of landlords in England are facing increasing costs due to selective licensing schemes imposed by local councils, new research has found.

Selective licensing schemes aim to improve standards of privately rented homes by requiring landlords in certain parts of England to obtain a license to rent out property.

Forty-seven English councils, out of the 245 that responded to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request from Direct Line, have a selective licencing scheme in place, an increase of 9.3% from those who reported having a scheme in place in 2022.

Councils are charging landlords almost £700 on average for obligatory selective licenses, but there is a huge variation across England, according to the insurance company.

The councils charging the most included Leicester (£1,290), Newcastle (£900), and Greenwich (£858), whilst Ashfield District Council (£350), East Staffordshire Borough Council (£507), and North Yorkshire Council (£550) charge the least.

Sarah Casey, head of landlord insurance at Direct Line business insurance, commented: ‘Our analysis shows significant regional variations in landlord licensing costs and a growing burden from fines for non-compliance.

‘Anyone planning on becoming a landlord, or who already has a property portfolio, should check with their local authority to see if they have a scheme in place.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Executive Director – Adult Social Care, Health & Wellbeing

Sefton Borough Council
£131,208 (Hay 1)
Lead with Purpose. Build on Excellence. Shape the Future of Health and Wellbeing in Sefton. Sefton (Metropolitan borough), Merseyside
Recuriter: Sefton Borough Council

Strategic Finance Business Partners (five roles)

Nottingham City Council
up to £80k
Nottingham is a bold, vibrant, and exciting Core City at the heart of the UK, alive with potential and ambition. Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Nottingham City Council

Director of Finance (Strategy) – deputy S151

Nottingham City Council
up to £125k
Nottingham is a bold, vibrant, and exciting Core City at the heart of the UK, alive with potential and ambition. Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Nottingham City Council

Customer Specialist

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum
Customer SpecialistPermanent, Part Time£25,081 pro rataLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Customer Specialist

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum
Customer SpecialistPermanent, Part Time£25,081 to £27,653 pro rataLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner