Leeds County Council is launching a selective licensing scheme with the remit of cracking down on rogue landlords in disadvantaged communities.
The scheme will cowl 12,500 privately rented properties within the wards of Armley, Beeston & Holbeck, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill, Gipton & Harehills, Hunslet & Riverside and Farnley & Wortley.
The scheme is designed to make sure the properties have working fuel or electrical home equipment, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, in addition to ensuring the properties are in a good state of restore.
Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds Metropolis Council’s government member for housing, stated: “We’re decided, as a council, to make sure that everybody in Leeds can benefit from the stability and sense of safety that comes with having a secure, heat and well-managed place to dwell.
“To do that, we have to give attention to all kinds of housing – together with non-public leases, which account for a fifth of the town’s properties.
“I’m delighted, due to this fact, that the enterprise case for a brand new and expanded selective licensing scheme has been endorsed by the council’s government board.
“This determination means we will now press forward with preparations for the introduction of a scheme that we consider will make an enormous distinction to the usual of privately-rented properties.
“Given the clear hyperlink that exists between poor housing and poor well being, it’s our hope that this scheme may even have a very optimistic influence on the final wellbeing of residents in deprived communities.”
Leeds beforehand had two selective licensing schemes that ran in Beeston and Harehills areas from 2020 till the beginning of 2025. Over that point greater than 6,700 inspections have been carried out.
The council’s current selective licensing scheme value landlords £825 per property.
