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14/7/25 8:13 pm
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More landlords in Leeds will need to apply for a selective licence when the council launches an extended scheme next February.
City councillors approved plans for the East, South & West Leeds selective licensing scheme which will cover about 12,500 privately rented homes in an area that takes in parts of the Armley, Beeston & Holbeck, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill, Gipton & Harehills, Hunslet & Riverside and Farnley & Wortley council wards.
A consultation received more than 2,000 questionnaires returned by landlords, residents and stakeholders, with a range of views – both supportive and critical – being expressed, according to the council, which explains: “As has been the case during consultation on selective licensing schemes approved in other parts of the country, landlords voiced opposition to the plans.”
Landlords already unhappy at the plans also face a big price hike under the new scheme which will cost £1,100 for a five-year licence – going up to a hefty £1,225 if completed on paper - compared with the previous £825 fee.
The authority explains that it pushed for a renewed scheme following positive results achieved by two selective licensing schemes that ran in the Beeston and Harehills areas from 2020 until the start of this year.
More than 6,700 inspections were conducted at properties in those areas where improvement work was carried out by landlords at 1,430 homes. About 400 civil penalties were issued to landlords who failed to do what was asked of them. The visits also gave council officers increased opportunities to identify situations where tenants faced non-housing related problems. This saw more than 1,900 referrals being made to partner agencies
Councillor Jess Lennox, executive member for housing, says it believes the scheme will make a huge difference to the standard of privately rented homes. She adds: “Given the clear link that exists between poor housing and poor health, it’s our hope that this scheme will also have a really positive impact on the general wellbeing of residents in disadvantaged communities.”
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