Great Yarmouth Votes Through Selective Licensing - A call to action!
- easternlandlords
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
On Tuesday 2nd December, Great Yarmouth Council voted unanimously to proceed with the introduction of Selective Licensing. While this decision was widely expected, it is still a significant development for landlords across the area.
What Happened?
The council confirmed its intention to implement the scheme despite strong opposition from the Eastern Landlords Association. We worked hard to secure a few concessions, but the core framework remains in place. Unfortunately, this means additional costs and administrative requirements for property owners.
When Will It Start?
We have been informed that the scheme is scheduled to begin on 1st April 2026 ironically, April Fools’ Day. While the date may raise a smile, the reality is far from a joke.
This could have real financial implications for tenants. We are concerned this could prompt landlords to reassess rental prices in order to offset the additional financial burden.
How the Application Will Work
The licensing process will be split into two parts:
Part A via the Home Safe Scheme – £200
Part B via Great Yarmouth Council – £494
This means landlords will need to provide accurate information across two platforms, so preparation is key.
ELA Support for Landlords
We understand that the licensing process will require landlords to submit detailed information via an online portal, which can be time-consuming and confusing. ELA will be here to help.
You can bring your paperwork into our office.
We’ll scan your documents and assist with uploading everything to the portal.
Our goal is to make this process as smooth as possible for you.
Office Location: 1 Sprowston Road
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00
Contact: 01603 767 101
Email: info@easternlandlords.org.uk
Please call ahead if you’d like to book an appointment for assistance.
Prepare Your Properties
Before applying for a license, it’s worth making sure your properties are in good order. The council will expect compliance with housing standards, so:
Address any outstanding maintenance issues now.
Ensure safety checks (gas, electrical, smoke alarms) are up to date.
Keep records organized for easy submission.
Taking these steps early will help avoid delays and potential penalties once the scheme goes live.
FAQs About Selective Licensing
1. What is Selective Licensing?
Selective Licensing is a scheme requiring landlords in designated areas to obtain a license before renting out properties. It aims to improve housing standards and management practices.
2. What documents will I need?
Typically, you’ll need proof of ownership, safety certificates (gas, electrical), tenancy agreements, and identification. We’ll provide a full checklist soon.
3. What happens if I don’t apply?
Failure to obtain a license can result in fines, enforcement action, and restrictions on renting your property.
4. How much will it cost?
The total cost is currently £694 (£200 for Part A and £494 for Part B).
5. Will ELA help me with the process?
Yes! Bring your paperwork to our office, and we’ll assist with scanning and uploading to the online portal.
What Should You Do Next?
Start preparing now. Review your properties, understand the licensing requirements, and consider how this will affect your costs. We’ll provide practical guidance and resources to help you navigate these changes.
More Details Coming Soon
We’ll share further details and advice on including what the concessions mean in practice and steps you can take to stay compliant while protecting your business.
Stay tuned, and let’s keep working together to make our voices heard.
📢 It’s time for landlords to stand up and show a united front.
Selective Licensing schemes are being rolled out by councils across the country, Norwich City Council, Thurrock, Ipswich and Southend are either consulting or implementing it. These policies will have serious consequences for tenants already struggling with rising living costs.
This campaign is a DIGITAL PROTEST. It's not about encouraging rent increases, it’s about making the public and decision makers aware of the real-world impact these policies create. If we remain silent, these measures will continue unchecked.
Our goal:
To make a significant impact by flooding local newspapers with emails in a concentrated 24-hour period so the scale of the issue cannot be ignored.
Action:
Send your rent increase notice today and tomorrow 4th and 5th Dec (without any personal tenant data) to the contacts listed below. Please include:
A caption stating how many properties you own (or state my property/s)
A clear indication that these increases are a direct result of Great Yarmouth Council’s Selective Licensing Scheme, The Budget and the Renters Rights Act!
This united effort will demonstrate the widespread impact not just on landlords, but on tenants and help us make our voices heard.
We are not encouraging rent increases but we understand this option may be necessary for some directly affected.
Together, as landlords across our association, we can show the real consequences of these policies and fight for fair treatment for everyone.
Help us help you!
Send the Letter at the bottom to the following Emails (Personalise the letter)
Eastern Daily Press (EDP): newsdesknorfolk@newsquest.co.uk
Great Yarmouth Mercury: gymnews@archant.co.uk
BBC Look East: look.east@bbc.co.uk
Norfolk Evening News: newsdesk@archant.co.uk
ELA info@easternlandlords.org.uk We can then collate and distribute nationally
Not your tenant!
For copy and paste: newsdesknorfolk@newsquest.co.uk, gymnews@archant.co.uk, look.east@bbc.co.uk, newsdesk@archant.co.uk, info@easternlandlords.org.uk
Estimated Cost Breakdown per Property Based on a £700/month rent
Cost Item | Estimated Costs /Month | Notes |
Selective Licensing Fee | £11.56 | Cost of the actual license (£694) |
Extra Inspections & Compliance due to Selective licensing | £12.50-£25 | Includes safety checks, admin time, and paperwork compliance. |
Budget Impact (Net per Month) | £10 – £15 | Reflects council budget changes passed on indirectly to tenants. 2% income tax increase. |
RRA (Renters Rights Act) Compliance | £5-£10 (Estimate) | Covers tenancy database updates and compliance requirements. |
Database & Ombudsman Costs | £5-£10 (Estimate) | Estimated subscription/registration fees for new landlord database. |
Total Additional Monthly Cost: = £44.06 - £71.56/month
On a £700 rent, that’s an increase of between 6% and 10% increase just to cover compliance and licensing costs. This does not include any interest rates rises seen in the market recently or costs of repairs and maintenance which have risen significantly.
Covering Letter for Tenants
Subject: Important Update Regarding Your Rent
The following Letter to be sent to (please fill) number of tenants following these changes.
Dear Tenant
I/We wanted to inform you about some significant changes that will affect the rental market in Great Yarmouth this year.
Great Yarmouth Council has voted unanimously to introduce a Selective Licensing Scheme, which will come into effect on 1st April 2026. This scheme requires landlords to obtain licenses for properties in designated areas, involving additional compliance checks and administrative processes. The application alone costs £694 (£200 via the Home Safe Scheme and £494 via Great Yarmouth Council), and landlords must also meet strict property standards.
In addition to this, the recent Budget announced last Wednesday introduced further taxes and financial pressures on property owners. These combined factors mean that the cost of providing and maintaining rental properties has increased significantly.
Furthermore, the upcoming Renters’ Rights Act will add even more financial and regulatory burdens for landlords. This legislation is expected to introduce stricter compliance requirements, including the mandatory use of a landlord database and the establishment of an Ombudsman service both of which come with additional fees for registration and ongoing participation. While these measures aim to improve accountability, they will inevitably increase expenses for property owners, further impacting the overall affordability of housing.
Unfortunately, this means we will need to implement a rent increase that is above the usual annual adjustment. This decision has not been taken lightly, but it is necessary to cover the rising costs imposed by these new regulations and taxes.
We remain committed to providing safe, well-maintained homes and will continue to invest in your property to meet all required standards.
Rent Increase Breakdown
Increase due to Selective Licensing: £ __________
Increase due to additional taxes/regulation (Budget): £ __________
Normal yearly rent rise: £ __________
Total Rent Increase: £ __________
Thank you for your understanding and continued tenancy.
Please Note this is not an actual rent rise!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Word document attached below if its easier for you!
Thank you!
Will you Help!
Yes my email is on its way! 💪
No Thanks.
The Renters Rights Act was a reflection of the inaction of landlords coupled with the effectiveness of lobbying by the corporate sector. Let's not continue to hope for the best when we can support each other! A few emails takes moments but has a valuable impact.