Birmingham to introduce largest selective licensing scheme for private rented properties in UK

The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has permitted Birmingham City Council to introduce a selective licensing scheme for more than 40,000 private rented properties, making it the largest scheme in the UK.

Birmingham said the scheme will target wards where the private rented sector is above 20% of properties and there are high levels of deprivation and/or crime. It will cover between 40,000-50,000 properties across 25 wards.

Cllr Sharon Thompson, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness for the local authority, said the project would help "drive up standards" across the private rented sector.

She continued: "It was approved after extensive consultation and 130 new jobs will be created to deliver the scheme. We want to ensure that private properties in our poorest wards are providing fit and proper accommodation and that landlords are adhering to their legal responsibilities.

"While many already do, the introduction of licence conditions that cover a range issues including waste bins, references and tackling anti-social behaviour will ensure the council is in a position to engage and regulate this sector appropriately."

Cllr Thompson added that the scheme would allow the council to work with all private landlords to improve standards. It will also enable the council to join up with other services such as the police to tackle issues including crime.

The council said its consultation on the scheme included meeting with elected members, focus groups and a flyer drop at all 125,000 properties in the 25 wards. Over 800 responses were received from landlords, residents (including tenants), and businesses/organisations.

There was "significant support for the scheme from residents and businesses/organisations", the council noted.

A licence for landlords will cost £700 for up to five years.

The scheme is scheduled to come into force on 5 June 2023 and will last for five years.

Adam Carey