Why are we considering selective licensing?
We have updated our Private Rented Sector Strategy (2020-2025). It now includes a detailed implementation plan which sets out our approach to the private rental sector. Our new Housing Strategy (2022-2032) reaffirms our commitment to improving the safety, quality and management of privately rented homes.
There are approximately 100,000 private rented properties in Manchester. This is 40% of the total housing for the city. We know that many PRS (Private Rented Sector) properties provide good quality accommodation. There are, however, areas of Manchester where PRS properties are not managed to a good standard.
We regularly work with teams from Community Safety and Compliance and Enforcement. We also work closely with PRS landlords to deal with complaints. These are generally about anti-social behaviour, poor property management and waste issues. Together, we work proactively work to remove any concerns in these areas.
Despite this, sustained improvements have not been seen in some areas unless additional interventions were introduced. Enforcement against individual properties alone will not improve standards to required levels across each area.
Manchester previously had an accreditation scheme. We have considered voluntary accreditation as part of our work in Manchester. However, our experience has been that these schemes inevitably attract landlords who are already providing a good service to their tenants. They do little to engage or improve the property conditions of those landlords who are not.
We have the power to introduce ‘selective licensing schemes’ in areas of Manchester. In these areas private landlords, or their managing agents, would need a licence for each house that they rent out. There are approximately 2,000 private rented properties in the current selective licensing schemes. The proposed selective licensing schemes would affect a further 1,900 private rented properties.
Selective licensing ensures that:
- The proposed licence-holder is fit and proper to manage their properties.
- The licence-holder complies with the conditions of the licence. This leads to improvements in property management and reductions in anti-social behaviour
- Property inspections can be targeted
- Landlords provide necessary certification
- Unlicensed landlords can face an unlimited fine if prosecuted through the courts, or up to £30,000 if issued by the council.
To make sure that selective licensing helps to improve social or economic conditions, we want to introduce designated zones in parts of Cheetham, Crumpsall, Harpurhey, Longsight, Miles Platting, Newton Heath and Moss Side.
Find out more about the benefits of selective licensing and how areas are chosen