Legal challenge delays landlord licencing scheme

A new licensing scheme for private landlords in parts of Scunthorpe has been delayed by a legal challenge.

North Lincolnshire Council's cabinet agreed to bring in 'selective licensing' for parts of Crosby and Park and Town Wards last Autumn.

The scheme was due to come in force on 20 March and required private renting landlords to apply for a licence to operate, with rules that forced them to maintain smoke detectors, update gas certificates and tackle any anti-social behaviour related to their property.

The legal challenge was lodged by Crosby Landlords' Association, who have sought a judicial review of the decision to create the licensing zone.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the legal challenge will look at whether the council followed due process, and not the merits of the tougher rules for landlords scheme itself.

The North Lincolnshire council project required landlords to pay a fee of £955 to cover the five years of the selective licensing period. Legally, the council is not allowed to make any profit from the scheme.

The rules attached to the licence aimed to raise housing standards.

The scheme was first proposed by the conservatives in 2023, a public consultation followed in spring 2024, but the council's cabinet did not take a decision on it until September of last year.

By then, some landlords from the Crosby area had written to the council challenging the plans.

A North Lincolnshire council webpage notice said the launch date for the scheme has been delayed and was not accepting applications.

The notice said further updates regarding the licence application processes, fees and deadlines will be made available on their website as soon as possible.

The LDRS has approached North Lincolnshire Council for comment.

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