Scheme to improve homes in central Blackpool approved by Government

Blackpool Council’s selective licensing scheme covering private rented accommodation in the town centre has been officially approved by the Secretary of State for Housing.

The move follows the introduction of additional licensing in 2016 and will cover the wards of Talbot, Brunswick and the northern half of Bloomfield.

All landlords within the designated area will have to pay for an annual licence requiring them to take more responsibility for the behaviour of their tenants and ensure their properties reach certain standards.

It is hoped this will stamp out yobbish behaviour, which has blighted parts of the holiday area, with some hoteliers saying it had damaged trade.

Coun Christine Wright, inset, Blackpool Council cabinet member for housing, said: “We want to combat anti-social behaviour and improve housing conditions across the town, and this scheme will give the council stronger powers to deal with problematic tenants.

“We recognise many landlords provide accommodation beyond the minimum standards but unfortunately, there are many properties that fall below acceptable standards.

“One of the most basic human rights is that everybody deserves a clean and safe area to live and if landlords aren’t delivering that then we won’t hesitate to bring forward enforcement action.”

Blackpool landlord Stuart King said: “I had hoped the council would come up with a more innovative scheme, for example allowing landlords to pay monthly instead of yearly and with the money going into schemes such as energy efficiency and tidying up the area.

“I think the council has missed an opportunity to have a greater impact on the area, and I don’t think there is a proven track record for selective licensing.”