Efforts to Rule Against Licensing Scheme Fail
Efforts to Rule Against Licensing Scheme Fail
Efforts to take Rotherham Council to a judicial review over a private sector landlord licensing scheme have failed.
All private rental homes in the centre of Rotherham, Dinnington and parts of Maltby must have a five-year license, costing up to £625. The scheme is designed to improve standards in the sector.
A team of landlords organised the Rotherham Action Group to challenge the scheme, but its application was dismissed because a judge said the Council had acted “rationally and proportionately”1 by launching the scheme. The Group must now pay the Council’s costs of £23,128.
This ruling means that private sector landlords within these areas must have a license for each rental property they own.
Price reductions will be given to accredited landlords whose properties have already been fully checked for safety.
In December, Enfield Council in North London attempted to introduce a licensing scheme. This was overruled at the High Court after a judicial review. A single Enfield landlord took action and the Council was accused of failing to consult the appropriate people for a suitable time before trying to launch the scheme.