Landlord licensing set to be expanded in problematic areas of Gateshead

A scheme which requires landlords of rented homes to be licensed could be expanded across Gateshead.

The selective licensing scheme subjects landlords in designated areas to additional conditions including managing anti-social behaviour and electrical health and safety checks.

Landlord licences have been previously rolled out in Chopwell, Bensham, and Saltwell. A report delivered to councillors claims such licences have helped improve areas.

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There are currently 1,500 properties under landlord licences across four existing schemes.

Officers told councillors the previous schemes were operated in conjunction with Northumbria Police in 'Operation Vienna'. The collaboration resulted in exposing; tenant exploitation, sex work, drug-related issues, and gang activities.

According to council documents, officers continue to identify "dangerous" housing and "poor practices" by private landlords in Gateshead. The council officers' report to cabinet read: "These issues include landlords simply not being aware of their obligations and failing to invest in property condition, through to the deliberate exploitation of those that have no other housing choice."

Council officers will now investigate other wards throughout Gateshead to see which areas would benefit from licensing.

Cabinet member for housing John Adams said: "It's particularly important at the moment that we do proceed with this when we have a new Government who made a U-turn possibly on no-fault evictions."

Licensed landlords will be charged between £550 to £1000 per property. Landlords would only be charged once if they maintain a property in the scheme for the five-year period.

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Chopwell and Rowlands Hill councillor Michael McNestry said: "I support the scheme because there has been one in my ward for five years and the outcomes were really really positive and it made a great difference to people's homes."

Lobley Hill and Bensham councillor Catherine Donovan said: "The team have done a marvellously good job with this and knows the effects of poor landlords in particular areas. So if we can get more of these it can only be a good thing."

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