The report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods) is enclosed.

Under the Housing Act 2004 Local Authorities have the power to introduce the licensing of private rented homes within a designated area, with the aim of improving the management and condition of these properties. A report submitted by the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods) presented proposals to identify areas that meet the criteria to designate a selective licensing area.

One of the themes of the Council’s Private Rented Sector Strategy was to improve property and management conditions in the private rented sector with a particular focus on the poorest quality properties. Selective licensing was seen as being a useful tool to apply targeted interventions in the most challenging areas of the City. The report explained the work that been undertaken, and the data that had been used to identify the geographic areas that met the criteria. Authority was now sought to commence an extensive consultation exercise to establish whether the declaration of a selective licensing scheme was required within these identified areas.

Twelve possible areas had been identified, and a map showing the boundary of each was appended to the report. The areas were:

·         Area 1; Ben Street- Clayton and Openshaw (approximately 105 PRS properties)

·         Area 2; Trinity- Harpurhey (approximately 430 PRS properties)

·         Area 3; Ladders- Gorton and Abbey Hey (approximately 773 PRS properties)

·         Area 4; Flats above shops Hyde Road- Gorton/ Abbey Hey (approximately 94 PRS properties)

·         Area 5; Royals- Longsight (approximately 64 PRS properties)

·         Area 6; Laindon Road/ Dickenson Road- Rusholme (approximately 37 PRS properties)

·         Area 7; Claremont Rd/Great Western Street- Moss Side (approximately 318 PRS properties)

·         Area 8; Heywood Street- Cheetham (approximately 248 PRS properties)

·         Area 9; Birch Lane- Rusholme (approximately 69 PRS properties)

·         Area 10; Esmond/Avondale- Cheetham (approximately 76 PRS properties)

·         Area 11; Flats above shops Cheetham Hill Road -Cheetham (approximately 60 PRS properties)

·         Area 12; Matthews Lane- Levenshulme (approximately 159 PRS properties)

The report explained that the intention was to now consult local residents, tenants and landlords, managing agents and local businesses, both within the proposed areas and in the surrounding areas, and also national landlord associations who support and advocate for a number of private rented sector landlords across the country. The methodology for the consultations was described in the report.

The responses were to evaluated and published on the Council’s website, and would inform officer decision making on whether to proceed with the approval of any of the proposed areas, in consultation with Executive Members.

It was noted that this report had also been considered at a recent meeting of the Neighbourhoods and Environment Scrutiny Committee, and that the Committee had endorsed its recommendations (Minute NESC/20/35).

The proposals in the report were supported.

Decisions

1.         To approve a consultation with residents, private landlords, businesses and other stakeholders to designate selective licensing schemes within the geographical areas listed in the report.

2.         Subject to the outcome of the consultation, to delegate authority to the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods), in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration and the Executive Member for Finance and Human Resources, to approve up to 12 selective licensing areas identified in the report.