Central Bensham licensing scheme (phase 1)

In October 2015 we consulted with interested parties and licence holders to find out about the perceived impacts of licensing within the area. The Central scheme has now passed its half way point and the Council were keen to received feedback to allow resources for the remainder of the scheme to be targeted effectively.

Central Area - Phase 1 selective landlord licensing consultation feedback analysis (PDF) [48KB] (opens new window) provides a full overview of the findings, however a summary can be found below;

• Residents favour the scheme more than landlords (expected)
• Residents have indicated that the scheme has been more successful, compared to those views of the landlords (same trend as previous consultation carried out in Sunderland Road and Chopwell Licensing Schemes)
• More licence holders than residents, think that there has been no change in the likes of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) levels, turnover, number of empty properties since the introduction of licensing.
• 35% of licence holders were not a member of the Gateshead Private Landlords Association before licensing and have since joined the association ensuring improved property management practices and support from the team.
• 62% of private tenants who responded had been vetted/reference checked prior to being offered a tenancy in the area.
• Combined, residents and landlords responded that licensing has been most successful in helping to address;
  • Improving external property conditions
  • Improving internal property conditions
  • Reducing the number of empty properties
• Combined, residents and landlords responded that licensing has been least successful in helping to address;
  • Addressing refuse and overgrown and untidy gardens
  • Reducing ASB
  • Improving tenant behaviour

The feedback included a high number of comments/concerns from residents relating to litter issues and fly tipping in the rear back lanes, dog fouling and overgrown weeds to the lanes and streets. The feedback and comments indicate that the intervention of landlord licensing is still required in this area and that continued work is essential in relation to improving property and tenancy management by landlords.  

The overall feedback received, in addition to the day to day demands upon the Private Sector Housing Team that arise from within the area, have highlighted some key priorities within the area leading up until the expiry date of May 2017;

• Refuse/littering/fly tipping/overgrown/untidy gardens
• Responding to and resolving ASB issues effectively
• Policing of licence conditions, specifically concerning ASB, for example, vetting's and ensuring that landlords manage problems with ASB effectively

Whilst a large amount of work has already been undertaken in relation to these issues such as overgrown garden campaigns (to be repeated regularly), landlord training in relation to responding to ASB issues effectively, closer partnership working with the police and vigilant monitoring of tenant movement to ensure that references are being requested as required, an action plan of proactive work to be undertaken in line with the above feedback is to be undertaken. Licence holders have already been contact in relation to compliance with the condition to vet/reference potential tenants and have been asked to provide evidence of their procedures.

In light of the above the team will continue to use the existence of landlord licensing in this area as a tool to contribute towards the wider improvement and regeneration of the community.