ELA Challenges Selective Licensing!

Last night saw the second of the consultations being offered by Great Yarmouth

Town Hall, Great Yarmouth

Borough Council regarding their proposals to introduce selective licensing to some of the wards within the Great Yarmouth district.

Regrettably, there wasn't a chance for everyone present to hear the perspectives of the key figures behind the consultation, as there was no inclusive Q&A or presentation. It seemed that the concerns and needs of the landlord community were not sufficiently acknowledged or addressed at this event, highlighting the importance for all landlords to submit their feedback in writing to the Council.

Paul Cunningham, ELA Chairman and Director has this to say on the matter:

"You won't need me to remind you that currently being a landlord is not getting any easier, we continue to be denigrated from the Government all the way down to local council level, this is despite the rising number of homelessness across the country. Local authorities have not got the capacity to house every applicant so have to rely on the PRS and then wonder why private landlords are not particularly keen to assist them.

On one hand the Government is imposing the Renters’ Rights Bill upon us which in turn will mean more landlords will be leaving the sector, at the same time they have decreed that they no longer want asylum seekers housed in hotels so have given the contract to Serco to find the landlords to accommodate them.

Paul Cunningham, ELA Chairman and Director

Just to add to the mix, Gt Yarmouth Borough Council have decided to introduce another Selective Licensing scheme covering a vast swathe of the Borough. They are currently conducting a consultation process with tenants and landlords. Unfortunately the last scheme some 6 years ago now had the same process, the vast majority were against the scheme but the council ignored and went ahead with it anyway.

The ELA has decided, having taken legal advice, to instruct solicitors to challenge the council over aspects of this scheme. One of the conditions is that the landlord is expected to inspect their property every 3 months, yes that 4 times a year! How intrusive for the tenants is this?  In order to fund the licence and the inspections, rents will increase to cover these costs. So once again the tenant will suffer in the long term. I've heard this described as a landlord tax but actually it's a tenant tax as they will be the ones funding the scheme.

Had GYBC actually engaged with the ELA it would not have come to this but their anti-landlord intentions have meant that they refuse to either recognise the ELA or enter into any dialogue with them.

The ELA is here to represent our members and we will keep you updated as the process continues."

What are we doing about it?

ELA are now formally challenging the implementation of the selective licensing scheme in this area. After careful review and consideration, we believe the scheme is both unjust and disproportionate in its current form.

GYBC propose SL on various wards in the district

With the support and guidance of experienced solicitors, Pepperells, we are taking the necessary initial legal steps to contest the legitimacy and fairness of the licensing measures being imposed. Our aim is to ensure that any regulatory framework affecting landlords and property owners is transparent, reasonable, and lawfully applied.

We are committed to protecting the rights of responsible landlords and believe that meaningful dialogue and legal scrutiny are essential in holding local authorities accountable for their decisions.

Further updates will be shared as the challenge progresses and we thank members who have supported this effort so far.