Sunderland Road licensing scheme

The Sunderland Road area was one of the first areas in the country to be subject to Selective Licensing. The scheme was introduced in September 2007 and ended in September 2012. There is therefore no longer a requirement for landlords in the area to apply for a licence.

Consultation took place in May 2012 with local residents and landlords in relation to the scheme. Further evidence relating to the area was also examined, to consider whether it was necessary to redesignate as an area subject to Selective Licensing. Although the decision was made not to do this, it was agreed that it would continue to be monitored, so that the Council can continue to make informed decisions about how it can support the area.

For further information please see the documents below.

Documents

• Analysis of the consultation around Sunderland Road SLL (PDF) [39KB] (opens new window)
• Reviewing selective licensing within the Sunderland Road area (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window)

This area was designated for licensing after widespread consultation with stakeholders. The area affected by the scheme is outlined in the map below.

Sunderland Road licensing scheme area map (PDF) [563KB] (opens new window)

If you are a private landlord operating in this areas an application for a landlord licence is required for each property. Failing to apply for a licence is an offence, of which an unlimited fine can be administered.

The Mid Term Evaluation (PDF) [753KB] (opens new window)  report provides an overview of the consultation results. 

Why we consulted

We have to track the progress of our schemes by law. We consulted with residents, landlords and agents who live, own or manage property in the Swalwall licensing area. We will consult again when the scheme ends in April 2018 so we can assess the impact of the scheme on:

• housing demand 
• anti-social behaviour
• identifying areas of support.

As council budgets reduce there is a need to review what we do to ensure that we can continue to deliver the scheme well. Your ideas and feedback are a crucial part of this process.

How we consulted

The consultation period ran from 10 October -1 November 2016. The consultation went to all licence holders and was hand delivered to every residential property in the licensing area. Consultations for residents and landlords were also available on the council website. 

Summary of responses

The response rate was low with 8% of residents and 20% of licence holders responding. Most of the residents who responded were owner occupiers. Their views differed from those renting from a social or a private landlord. For residents, overall satisfaction with the area was 68%. This is split by:

• owner occupiers 52%
• private tenants 92%
• private landlords 54%

Residents and landlords responded that the landlord licensing scheme had been successful in;

• improving external property conditions
• improving internal property conditions
• reducing the number of empty properties

The landlord licensing scheme had been least successful in helping to solve:

• overgrown/untidy gardens
• reducing Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)
• improving tenant behaviour

Landlords on the whole were more positive in relation to the success of the scheme than residents. 

We received a high number of comments and concerns from residents about litter, dog fouling and the condition of roads and pavements. A large amount of work has already been done such as:

• overgrown garden campaigns
• landlord training in relation to responding to ASB issues
• closer partnership working with the police
• to ensure that tenant references are being requested when moving property

Garden Community

In September 2017, the team carried a proactive campaign in the Swalwell Selective Licensing Area to improve the overall appearance of properties within this area. This included the whole area regardless of tenure as everyone has a responsibility for contributing to the improvement of the community. 

The team will continue to use the landlord licensing scheme in this area. We will produce an action plan of work to be done. Key priorities leading up to the expiry date, April 2018, will be;

• refuse/littering
• overgrown/untidy gardens
• preventing and responding to/resolving ASB issues
• policing of licence conditions such as ASB for example vetting and ensuring that landlords manage problems