Answers to common questions about selective licensing
Selective licensing provides additional powers and resources that a council has to deal with issues in privately rented homes
The Housing Act 2004 gives us ‘powers of entry into privately rented properties to assess standards’. This is not the same as a right of entry. Selective licensing requires landlords to give us access as part of their licence conditions.
We only have limited resources to actively target privately rented homes. This means that standard enforcement measures tend to be reactive. They rely heavily on tenant-initiated complaints. We know, however, that tenants worry about the threat of eviction if they make a complaint. In other cases, they simply do not know how to raise an issue. These facts make selective licensing one of the most effective tools available to Local Authorities. It’s a pro-active way to inspect properties and improve standards in the private rented sector.
Property inspections
We aim to inspect 50% of properties (at least once) during the five-year licence period.
We will inspect higher risk properties sooner than lower risk ones. The level of risk depends on previous history, condition, management etc.
Problems with social rented homes
Properties that are managed by local authorities, housing associations, other housing providers or other regulated bodies are exempt from selective licensing. However, we are clear that we want residents in all forms of housing to have a decent and safe place to live.
Manchester’s housing associations all have call centres and ways to contact them online for any repair requests or complaints.
You can report any issues with homes managed by Manchester City Council’s Housing Services:
- at mcchousingservices.co.uk or
- by calling 03000 123 123 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
How selective licensing can improve issues with fly-tipping and other antisocial behaviour linked to waste management
We are committed to improving local areas. We aim to take effective action against anti-social behaviour and environmental problems. If we go ahead with our plans for selective Licensing, the licence holder will need to ensure that:
- The full range of recycling and refuse bins are available at the start of a tenancy,
- Full details of waste and recycling collections are provided
- Details of bulky item arrangements should also be available.
The licence holder must also make appropriate arrangements to dispose of any waste at the end of a tenancy and produce waste transfer notes for inspection on request.
We will also investigate each area in order to ensure the necessary resources are available. This will in turn allow us to manage the licensing and any enforcement action required.
You can report environmental problems to us - Environmental problems | Manchester City Council
How the income from selective licensing will be used
The income generated from licensing fees will be used to pay for:
- the consultation process,
- administration,
- management
- and running of the scheme (including inspections and enforcement work).
We do not earn anything from selective licensing schemes.
If you have any questions or concerns surrounding the Selective Licensing process or consultation, you can contact us at SLConsultation@manchester.gov.uk and we'll try to get back to you in a timely manner.
How selective licensing has impacted rents
There is no evidence to suggest other areas that have been selectively licensed in Manchester have experienced rent increases as a result.
If you have any questions or concerns surrounding the selective licensing process or consultation, email SLConsultation@manchester.gov.uk.