City of York Council proposed Additional Licensing Scheme based on weak evidence

York Residential Landlords Association have again appointed leading landlord regulation expert David Smith from JMW Solicitors LLP in London to review City of York Council’s proposed Additional Licensing Scheme (second consultation).

York Residential Landlords Association have again appointed leading landlord regulation expert David Smith from JMW Solicitors LLP in London to review City of York Council’s proposed Additional Licensing Scheme (second consultation). David found:

  • The evidence used to justify going forward with such a scheme is still very weak and doesn’t meet the requirements to go forward with such a scheme, especially for certain wards
  • The Council already have the powers they require to control housing quality in the city but aren’t proactively using them
  • The Council already have access to the information they seek in relation to property tenure
  • The cost of running such a scheme would be far greater than anticipated which would

    reduce public funds at a time when resources are already stretched

  • The proposed scheme would self-select the better landlords and ignore any criminal landlords raising a question mark over its effectiveness
  • The proposed scheme will drive up rents at a time when inflation is already high
  • The fee structure is unlawful

York Residential Landlords Association remain keen to work with City of York Council to form a group with the city’s academic institutions and other key stakeholders with a view to creating a scheme that is right for tenants, landlords and York residents.