Landlords are not a '˜cash cow'

The Fylde Coast Landlords Forum held a meeting at Blackpool Town Hall to discuss how to react to the move.

Campaigner Bob Jackson said a “detailed dossier objecting to the proposal” had been passed onto politicians.

Blackpool Council is proposing to introduce a selective licensing for private housing in the central area of the town, following on from similar schemes being adopted in Claremont and South Beach.

It says the schemes are necessary in order to rid the town of irresponsible landlords who attract unruly tenants.

But Mr Jackson said: “The council already has a sufficiency of powers to tackle any unruly accommodation and good landlords are sick of being utilised as a cash cow.”

He added: “The time has now come to stop interference with the private landlords who are essentially efficient SME’s (small and medium sized enterprises) contributing vast amounts already to the treasury in tax.”

The council’s proposal needs to be approved by the Housing minister and Mr Jackson called on landlords to lobby against the proposal.