Final reminder for Great Yarmouth landlords to obtain a licence - or risk a civil penalty or prosecution
Landlords in Great Yarmouth have been reminded they have just a week left to register for a new licensing scheme - or risk being landed with a civil penalty.
The reminder comes after the introduction of Great Yarmouth Borough Council's Selective Licensing Scheme which is designed to raise standards of housing for people who rent privately in the town.
The scheme came into operation several weeks ago and landlords have until Tuesday, June 30, to complete the necessary paperwork to make sure they comply with its requirements.
More than 2,100 applications have already been received and successfully processed, but after the June 30 deadline, landlords risk receiving a civil penalty or being prosecuted if their property is not registered.
The licensing scheme applies to the Nelson Ward, Central and Northgate Ward, Southtown and Cobholm Ward and eight streets in Yarmouth North Ward - an area of about 5,000 rented homes covering about 60 per cent of the borough's privately rented properties.
A licence costs £694 per property for five years and covers the cost of inspections and administration of the scheme, which is not legally allowed to make money.
The council says licensing will make sure homes meet minimum standards and will promote better letting management practices, ensuring that properties are well-maintained and tenants' rights respected.
Landlords can now be held accountable for the condition and management of their properties via the enforcement of legal standards around such things as gas safety, electrical safety and energy efficiency certification.
Over the past few months, the council has held a number of well-attended training sessions to help landlords make an application and continues to offer support or advice around acquiring a licence.
It is also offering an in-person, one-to-one Selective Licensing Application Support Session on Monday, June 29, and places can be booked online at https://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/selective-licencing-scheme/news-events
Failure to have a valid licence in place will see landlords at risk of receiving a civil penalty for non-compliance - the starting point of which, before taking into account mitigating or aggravating circumstances, is £9,000. A prosecution could lead to an unlimited fine.
Anyone who needs Information about how to make an application can find out more at www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/selective-licensing-scheme. People can also contact the team directly on 01493 846636 for advice and support.
