PRIVATE landlords in parts of Measbrough Dyke, Elsecar, Wombwell and Goldthorpe will face tough new regulation to improve the standards of their properties.
A new selective licensing scheme is expected to be approved by Barnsley Council bosses when they meet on Wednesday.
It has been drawn up to address problems that have continued to grow in part of the borough’s dense private rented sector, focusing on reducing antisocial behaviour and driving up standards of properties by making sure landlords comply with a set of minimum standards.
The vast majority of landlords provide good quality standards of property and have a good relationship with tenants but Coun Jenny Platts, cabinet spokeswoman for communities, said that is not always the case.
“Private sector landlords provide a vital contribution to the provision of housing for people in Barnsley. We recognise that many of these landlords are responsible, provide good quality accommodation and have a positive relationship with their tenants,” she said.
“Unfortunately this isn’t always the case. There has been a detrimental impact on certain areas due to poor management practices and housing conditions.
“The selective licensing scheme will therefore help to reduce antisocial behaviour, drive up housing standards, and protect tenants, landlords and the local community.”
Public consultation was held over several months to listen to the views of landlords and tenants, among others.
As a result, the proposed scheme has been adapted to allow a two-tiered approach that will see landlords within the scheme areas access an accreditation process overseen either by the council, Goldthorpe Landlords and Residents Group, or Barnsley Residential Landlords Group.
Properties which fail to meet standards and conditions, or where inspections are unable to be carried out, will fall into the full selective licensing scheme.
The scheme will be implemented in the following areas:
- Elsecar: Welland Crescent;
- Goldthorpe: Beever Street, Victoria Street, Cross Street, Co-operative Street and Claycliffe Terrace;
- Measbrough Dyke: Pindar Street, Sunderland Terrace, Seth Terrace, Osborne Street, Evelyn Terrace, Ivy Terrace, Burton Terrace, Junction Street and Terrace, Jubilee Terrace, Victor Terrace, Doncaster Road (174-278) and King Georges Terrace;
- Wombwell: John Street, Mount Terrace and William Street, Blythe Street, Main Street, Bond Street, Myrtle Road, Victoria Road, York Street, Frederick Street, Princess Street, Bartholomew Street, Barnsley Road (1-99), West Street, Western Terrace and School Street.
Landlords will pay £115 for each accredited property within the scheme over five years. Properties which fail standards will fall into the selective licensing scheme, having to fork out £530 per property over the same period.
Coun Platts added: “We recognise the crucial role private landlords play in creating sustainable housing and meeting the accommodation needs of people across the borough. Selective licensing will help to ensure that all private landlords in the scheme areas maintain their properties to a decent standard and look after their tenants.”
