This motion asks Manchester City Council to use the full extent of its powers to improve conditions for renters in Manchester.

 

In 2020, Manchester City Council launched a revised Private Rented Sector Strategy with aim to see “Manchester’s Private Rented Sector provide a high quality, low carbon, affordable and sustainable offer so that Manchester’s residents have a good choice of quality homes in clean, safe and vibrant neighbourhoods.”

 

We are midway through the delivery of this ambition and yet across the city in wards from north to south, east to west, we continue to see our residents live in appalling conditions. Overcrowded and in poor state of repair.

 

One of the actions we have taken is to introduce Selective Licensing.

 

‘Selective licensing’ is a licence scheme which requires all private landlords operating within a designated area to license any privately rented property within that area.

 

To date, we have introduced Selective Licensing in small sections of a handful of wards.

 

Currently only small sections of the following wards are being served:

 

May 2022 – April 2027

·                Ben Street: Clayton and Openshaw

·                Hyde Road: Gorton and Abbey Hey

·                The Ladders: Gorton and Abbey Hey

·                Trinity: Harpurhey

 

August 2023 – August 2028

·                Matthews Lane, Levenshulme

·                Great Western Street/Claremont Rd, Moss Side and Whalley Range

·                Laindon/Dickenson Rd & Birch Lane, Rusholme

·                The Royals, Longsight

 

Yet some of our residents living within the past schemes reported long delays in their requests for support, infrequent inspections, and landlords indifferent to the requirements the licences place upon them.

 

This Council notes:-

 

That the areas covered by Selective Licensing in the city represent a tiny proportion of the housing in Manchester that could be under the control of the city's Selective Licensing Team.

 

And

 

As all the revenue raised by the licences is used to monitor and administrate the scheme, this also represents a tiny proportion of the money that could be available to ensure that this Team has the proper resources to do their job.

 

This Council is also aware that:-

 

Liverpool City Council has been able to bring around 80% of its eligible housing into its Selective Licensing Scheme. The money raised means that their Selective Licensing Team is able to offer a robust and effective service to their residents.

 

This Council therefore resolves to extend the reach of Selective Licensing by:

 

(1)       Request that the Executive ask national government for permission to extend landlord Licensing city wide.

 

(2)       Request that the Executive ask for a report ask the officers responsible for the current and past schemes to provide a report to council of its strengths and weaknesses with a summary of the threats and opportunities for expansion.

 

(3)       Request that the Executive extend the duration of current schemes and revisiting past schemes should evidence emerge that need has not been or is not being met.

 

(4)       Request that the Executive commit to reaching the target of 100% of properties eligible to have been involved in a Selective Licensing Scheme by 2030.

 

Proposed by Councillor Bayunu, seconded by Councillor Wiest and supported by Councillors Good, Johnson and Nunney.

Councillor Bayunu submitted the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Wiest: -

 

This motion asks Manchester City Council to use the full extent of its powers to improve conditions for renters in Manchester.

 

In 2020, Manchester City Council launched a revised Private Rented Sector Strategy with aim to see “Manchester’s Private Rented Sector provide a high quality, low carbon, affordable and sustainable offer so that Manchester’s residents have a good choice of quality homes in clean, safe and vibrant neighbourhoods.”

 

We are midway through the delivery of this ambition and yet across the city in wards from north to south, east to west, we continue to see our residents live in appalling conditions. Overcrowded and in poor state of repair.

 

One of the actions we have taken is to introduce Selective Licencing.

 

‘Selective licensing’ is a licence scheme which requires all private landlords operating within a designated area to license any privately rented property within that area.

 

To date, we have introduced Selective Licencing in small sections of a handful of wards.

 

Currently only small sections of the following wards are being served:

 

May 2022 – April 2027

·                Ben Street: Clayton and Openshaw

·                Hyde Road: Gorton and Abbey Hey

·                The Ladders: Gorton and Abbey Hey

·                Trinity: Harpurhey

 

August 2023 – August 2028

·                Matthews Lane, Levenshulme

·                Great Western Street/Claremont Rd, Moss Side and Whalley Range

·                Laindon/Dickenson Rd & Birch Lane, Rusholme

·                The Royals, Longsight

 

Yet some of our residents living within the past schemes reported long delays in their requests for support, infrequent inspections, and landlords indifferent to the requirements the licences place upon them.

 

This Council notes: -

 

That the areas covered by Selective Licencing in the city represent a tiny proportion of the housing in Manchester that could be under the control of the city's Selective Licencing Team.

 

And

 

As ALL the revenue raised by the licences is used to monitor and administrate the scheme, this also represents a tiny proportion of the money that could be available to ensure that this Team has the proper resources to do their job.

 

This Council is also aware that: -

 

Liverpool City Council has been able to bring around 80% of its eligible housing into its Selective Licencing Scheme. The money raised means that their Selective Licencing Team is able to offer a robust and effective service to their residents.

 

This Council therefore resolves to extend the reach of Selective Licencing by:

 

(1)      Asking national government for permission to extend landlord Licencing city wide.

 

(2)      Asking the officers responsible for the current and past schemes to provide a report to council of its strengths and weaknesses with a summary of the threats and opportunities for expansion.

 

(3)      Extending the duration of current schemes and revisiting past schemes should evidence emerge that need has not been or is not being met.

 

(4)      Committing to reaching the target of 100% of properties eligible to have been involved in a Selective Licencing Scheme by 2030.

 

Councillor White moved an amendment to the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Appleby, as follows: -

 

This motion asks Manchester City Council to use the full extent of its powers to improve conditions for renters in Manchester.

 

In 2020, Manchester City Council launched a revised Private Rented Sector Strategy with aim to see:

 

“Manchester’s Private Rented Sector provide a high quality, low carbon, affordable and sustainable offer so that Manchester’s residents have a good choice of quality homes in clean, safe and vibrant neighbourhoods.” 

 

This strategy has now been updated by our ambitious Housing Strategy for the City, updated, and agreed in July 2022.  We are midway through the delivery of this ambition and yet across.

 

In the city in wards from north to south, east to west, we continue to see our residents live in appalling conditions. Overcrowded and in poor state of repair. The need totackle rogue landlords is a key priority and never been more important for the approx. 90,000 households living in the private rented sector.

 

One of the actions we have taken is to introduce Selective Licensing. 

‘Selective licensing’ is a licence scheme which requires all private landlords operating within a designated area to license any privately rented property within that area.

The council also has mandatory HMO licensing across the city, which means that any HMO with 5 or more bedrooms has to have a landlord license – this means an additional 2,209 houses across the city have landlord license – and gives the council additional powers to tackle rogue landlords and improve housing conditions for tenants.

 

To date, we have introduced Selective Licensing in small sections of a handful of wards. 

 

In addition to the mandatory HMO licensing, since 2017, the council has introduced 13 selective licensing schemes in 11 different wards all across the city.

 

1,547 licenses were issued in the first four selective licensing schemes in Moston, Crumpsall, Moss Side and Old Moat.

 

Currently only small sections of the following wards are being served:

 

These schemes are now live in the following wards: 

 

May 2022 – April 2027

 

·         Ben Street: Clayton and Openshaw

·         Hyde Road: Gorton and Abbey Hey

·         The Ladders: Gorton and Abbey Hey

·         Trinity: Harpurhey 

 

1,018 licenses have been issued to date in these 4 areas

 

August 2023 – August 2028

 

·         Matthews Lane, Levenshulme

·         Great Western Street/Claremont Rd, Moss Side and Whalley Range

·         Laindon/Dickenson Rd & Birch Lane, Rusholme

·         The Royals, Longsight

 

Although early in the 5- year designation and licensing period, over 200 licenses have already been issued in these 5 new selective licensing areas in these 4 wards.

 

Therefore, across the 13 selective licensing schemes, and mandatory HMO licensing, we have issued nearly 5,000 licenses to date to help tackle rogue landlords and improve housing conditions for tenants.

 

Yet some of our residents living within the past schemes reported long delays in their requests for support, infrequent inspections, and landlords indifferent to the requirements the licences place upon them.

 

Selective licensing is one tool that the council has to tackle poor landlords and improve housing conditions.  All those renting in the private rental sector can get assistance with housing issues from the council, even if their landlord doesn’t have a license. Under the Housing Act 2004, the council can enforce against various housing standards in regards to damp, mould, excessive cold, gas and electrical safety and general levels of disrepair in the property.  This doesn’t require a license.

 

Selective, and HMO mandatory licensing is another very important way we can raise standards in the private rented sector, by inspecting properties, and getting landlords to comply with their license.  During Covid-19, inspections had to be paused, but they are now fully back and operational and we pro-actively inspect 50% of houses with a license and inspect other licensed homes where complaints are raised by tenants. 

 

This Council notes:-

 

That the areas covered by Selective Licensing in the city represent a tiny proportion of the housing in Manchester that could be under the control of the city's Selective Licensing Team.

 

That a motion on landlord licensing was passed by the council in February 2022, and agreed that the council would go further and faster to introduce more areas for selective licensing all over the city. 

 

And

 

As all the revenue raised by the licences is used to monitor and administrate the scheme, this also represents a tiny proportion of the money that could be available to ensure that this Team has the proper resources to do their job.

 

This Council is also aware that: -

 

Other cities and areas have introduced selected licensing – however, a robust case has to be made to introduce these schemes against a strict criteria set by government.  Until recently, secretary of state approval had to be obtained to go beyond licensing 20% of the private rented stock in the city.  However, this approval process is now devolved to the Mayor at Greater Manchester level – and Manchester will continue to monitor how we best deliver further selective licensing across the city to ensure that we continue to tackle issues with rogue landlords and tackle issues with the poorest level and quality of private rented housing. 

 

Liverpool City Council has been able to bring around 80% of its eligible housing into its Selective Licensing Scheme. The money raised means that their Selective Licensing Team is able to offer a robust and effective service to their residents.

 

Since 2017, the council has issued 1,000s of enforcement and improvement notices, inspected 1,000s of properties, and issued nearly £1 million worth of fines through Civil Penalty Notices to all private rented sector landlords, including those in our various licensing schemes, both selective and mandatory HMO licenses.  We have also pursued prosecution cases through the courts for the very worst offending landlords, and these have been highlighted in the media.

This Council therefore resolves to extend the reach of Selective Licensing by:

(1)       Request that the Executive ask national government for permission to extend landlord Licensing city wide.

 

1)            Recommending to the Executive the acceleration of the roll out of further selective licensing schemes all across the city, and liaising further with the Mayor of Greater Manchester about extending our ability to selectively license more than 20% of our private rented stock

 

 (2)       Request that the Executive ask for a report ask the officers responsible for the current and past schemes to provide a report to council of its strengths and weaknesses with a summary of the threats and opportunities for expansion.

 

2)            Noting the regular evalution reports provided by council officers to the Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee in recent years, and look forward to the next evaluation report that is due to be presented to the committee in December 2023.  This report will also propose further and new areas for selective licensing across the city.

 

 (3)       Request that the Executive extend the duration of current schemes and revisiting past schemes should evidence emerge that need has not been or is not being met.

 

3)            Noting that Selective Licensing Schemes cannot be extended beyond their 5-year designation.   If required, a new scheme in the same area can be proposed, subject to another 10-week public consultation and the Executive will consider that in full as part of the evaluation process for all schemes, both previous and current.

 

(4)       Request that the Executive commit to reaching the target of 100% of properties eligible to have been involved in a Selective Licensing Scheme by 2030.

 

4)         Recommending to the Executive that they should continue to use all means possible, with selective and mandatory HMO licensing, and other means provide for in the Housing Act 2004, to tackle rogue landlords and improve housing conditions for all our tenants.  All our residents deserve to live in a safe, secure, affordable and sustainable home.

 

The amendment was put to the Council and the Lord Mayor declared that it was carried.

 

The amended motion was put to the Council as the substantive motion and the Lord Mayor declared it was carried.

 

Resolution

 

This Council resolves to extend the reach of Selective Licensing by:

 

1.     Recommending to the Executive the acceleration of the roll out of further selective licensing schemes all across the city, and liaising further with the Mayor of Greater Manchester about extending our ability to selectively license more than 20% of our private rented stock.

 

2.     Noting the regular evaluation reports provided by council officers to the Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee in recent years and look forward to the next evaluation report that is due to be presented to the committee in December 2023. This report will also propose further and new areas for selective licensing across the city.

 

3.     Noting that Selective Licensing Schemes cannot be extended beyond their 5-year designation. If required, a new scheme in the same area can be proposed, subject to another 10-week public consultation and the Executive will consider that in full as part of the evaluation process for all schemes, both previous and current.

 

4.     Recommending to the Executive that they should continue to use all means possible, with selective and mandatory HMO licensing, and other means provide for in the Housing Act 2004, to tackle rogue landlords and improve housing conditions for all our tenants.  All our residents deserve to live in a safe, secure, affordable and sustainable home.