Birmingham’s Labour council is boasting that it’s taken £450,000 from landlords in just two years.
In June 2023, the authority launched one of the most most draconian licensing regimes in the country with – it claims – the objective of improving the quality and safety of rental homes in the city.
Landlords who do not hold a licence can be fined and may also have to pay back rent to tenants through Rent Repayment Orders. The council claims it’s also protect some tenants from evictions, as landlords without the correct licence cannot serve valid Section 21 notices.
The regime includes Selective Licensing in 25 areas, Additional Licensing for smaller shared houses with three to four people or different families, and Section 257 HMO also stretch across the city.
Over 12,000 inspections have been carried out, and 40,000 landlords have been licensed under the scheme.
A council spokesperson says: “The rules have been made clear, and it is the responsibility of landlords to take immediate action to avoid facing penalties.
“I am pleased to say that the new licensing schemes have raised the bar for private rental housing in Birmingham, and in some cases have even proven to be life-saving.
“Currently, around one in four of our compliance inspections have required landlords to take action to improve conditions for their tenants.
“This translates to real-life issues such as dozens of properties needing urgent repairs to fix leaky roofs, mouldy bedrooms, and the absence of essential safety features like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. These improvements are crucial for ensuring tenant safety and comfort.
“By enforcing stricter regulations, the council is creating a safer and more secure rental market for all residents.”
This article is taken from Landlord Today