Sometimes all it takes is for one person or family to behave in an anti-social manner, or for a landlord to not fulfil their duties to ruin an area. Many people find that their life is ruined or blighted by people around them, but this may become a thing of the past if new measures in Manchester are a success. It could be that Manchester landlords will be required to obtain and pay for a licence to continue in their profession. This is the latest step to clamp down on the poor housing conditions, overcrowding and anti-social behaviour in many areas of the city.
Manchester City Council has decided to take action in areas like Rusholme, Old Moat, Moston and Crumpsall. All of these areas are recognised as suffering from poor housing conditions in privately let properties. This means that these areas are the natural choices when it comes to improving housing conditions, but if there is found to be a positive action in this action, it may well be that the local council rolls out the licencing plan across the Greater Manchester area. This is why it makes sense for people involved with the Greater Manchester property market to take an interest in this latest development.
The plans have been brought in after a relentless period of lobbying by councillors who have expressed concern about the way that many slum landlords have neglected their duties and their properties. Some of the leading concerns regarding these landlords include allowing bad behaviour by their tenants and actively allowing overcrowding to occur. When you take on board there have been new regulations for landlords to bear in mind with respect to determining who can legally live in their property, this should provide an additional check that determines which landlords are operating as they should and which landlords are neglecting their duties.
There is a consultation taking place with respect to rolling out the new plans in the four mentioned areas and if the idea is backed, landlords in this area will have to pay a fee to be able to let their properties.
Landlords who should have a licence but are found to not hold one, or who are found to be in breach of their licence, could receive a fine of £5,000 for on the spot fines or they could face punishment in a court which could see them receiving a fine of £20,000. This is clearly a harsh penalty that could force some landlords into bankruptcy but you’ll find that many people will argue the need for this level of punishment so that there is an element of deterrent to landlords that allow bad or anti-social behaviour.
At Spencer Harvey, we will observe this matter and we can advise you on what impact, if any, it may have on your life.
For all your property needs, please contact Spencer Harvey Estate and Letting Agents on:
0161 480 8888
https://www.spencerharvey.co.uk