Benefits of Selective Licensing
The new designations of selective licenced areas are accompanied by individual Neighbourhood Development and Improvement Plans (NDip). These plans contain the objective of each declaration and are supported by an action plan which shows how the objectives will be delivered.
The designations offer the opportunity to drive a wide range of initiatives in the areas to the advantage of residents and stakeholders. Over a 5 year period our aim is to see a measurable improvement in the six designated areas. This will improve the lives of residents and the wider areas.
Key mechanisms by which licensing effects change.
- It focuses resources on areas of concern whilst simultaneously generating revenue to contribute to the costs involved;
- It provides clearly defined offences (licenced/unlicenced & breach of licence conditions) which simplifies enforcement.
- The proactive nature of the scheme means residents will have easier access to services and issues can be identified without the need for a formal complaint.
- There is no 24-hour notice requirement for access before an inspection for licensing purposes. This is particularly important where criminal landlords are present.
- Licensing provides a clear driver for effective engagement between landlords and local authorities and drives up landlord awareness of their responsibilities.
- Selective licensing encourages the development of effective intelligence gathering mechanisms – extremely valuable both in identifying unlicenced properties and in targeting priority properties.
- Promotion of joint working within the authority and other agencies - fire and rescue service, police, border control/immigration, social services, HMRC etc;
- Development of clear targets and metrics to measure progress and success.
