On 5th November 2018, the council approved the designation of a selective licensing scheme for all privately rented properties within parts of the Castle, Central and North Bay wards in Scarborough. The designation comes into effect on 1st June 2019 and will last for a period of 5 years up until 31st May 2024.
The area of designation will be known as Scarborough Central and is the second area to be designated for selective licensing in Scarborough. The first area was designated in July 2017 and covers parts of Castle and North Bay wards and is known as Scarborough North.
The scheme requires landlords who privately rent out properties in the designated area to obtain a licence from the council. Landlords will be required to meet a range of licensing conditions, including safety checks, and that they have appropriate management arrangements in place.
A Public Notice was issued following the approval.
Where does the designation cover?
The designation covers parts of the Castle, Central and North Bay wards in Scarborough.
What are the licence fees?
The standard licence fee is £550 for a single household property. An extra £100 per household will apply if the licence is for a property that contains more than one household.
We provide a range of discounts for landlords that are accredited, early bird applications and for extra licensed properties.
We will also apply a finders fee in cases where a landlord has not applied to licence their property and have to be found by the Council.
How to apply for a licence?
Applications will need to be made on-line. The application weblink will be available on this webpage from 1st April 2019.
Should you not have internet access then please call into Customer First at the Town Hall (address at top of the page) and speak to one of our Customer First advisors, who will be able to assist you.
You will need to provide the following with your application:
- The licence fee payment. The application form will automatically calculate your licence fee. Details of the fees can be found via the weblink on this page.
- A copy of your Gas Safety Certificate, should you have a gas supply to your property.
- If you named a manager in your application to manage the property, they will need to sign and return the Manager Declaration.
Discounts are available for landlords who are members of certain landlord organisations and for multiple licence applications. Please note that if you do not apply for a licence, then you will be liable for prosecution, which can result in a fine of up to £20,000.
What are the licensing conditions?
There are a wide range of licensing conditions that landlords will be required to comply with.
Refusals of licence applications
We can refuse a licence application if we decide you are not a fit and proper person or if the property does not meet the licensing conditions.Also if there is no reasonable prospect of an alternative licence holder being appointed, or of the property being brought up to the required standards within an acceptable time period.
Appealing against a licence refusal
You may appeal if the council decides to:
- refuse a licence
- grant a licence with conditions
- revoke a licence
- vary a licence
- refuse to vary a licence
You must appeal to the Residential Property Tribunal normally within 28 days.
Details of how to appeal is available through the above link.
Penalties for non-compliance
It is an offence if the landlord or person in control of the property:
- fails to apply for a licence for a licensable property, or
- allows a property to be occupied by more people than is permitted under the licence
An unlimited fine may be imposed. In addition, breaking any of the licence conditions can result in fines of up to £5000 per offence.
Background information
The designation of the selective licensing scheme was subject to developing a robust business case and extensive consultation. Details of these and other relevant background information can be found by accessing the links below:
Cabinet Report: June 2015: Selective licensing of Private Rented accommodation
Cabinet Report: May 2018: Consultation on Selective Licensing of Private Rented Accommodation
Cabinet Report: October 2018: Selective Licensing within parts of the Castle, Central and North Bay wards
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 Selective-Licensing-Fee-Schedule-Scarborough-Central.pdf | 109.21 KB |