On 30 November 2021, the Secretary of State approved the designation of a Selective Licensing scheme for all privately rented properties within parts of the Weaponness and Ramshill ward in Scarborough. The designation comes into effect on 1 May 2022 and will last for a period of 5 years up until 30 April 2027.
The area of designation will be known as Scarborough South and is the third area to be designated for selective licensing in Scarborough. The first area was designated in July 2017 and covers parts of Castle and Northstead wards and is known as Scarborough North. The second area was designated in June 2019 and covers parts of the Castle, Central and Northstead wards and is known as Scarborough Central.
The scheme requires landlords who privately rent out properties in the designated area to obtain a licence from us. 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.
Coverage
The designation covers parts of the Weaponness and Ramshill ward in Scarborough.
Streets
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Albion Crescent
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Albion Road
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Alga Terrace
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Back Crown Terrace
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Back Oriel Crescent
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Back South Street
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Back Trinity Road
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Belmont Road
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Cambridge Terrace
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Carlton Terrace
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Craven Street
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Cromwell Gardens
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Cromwell Parade
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Cromwell Road
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Cromwell Terrace
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Crown Close Back Road
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Crown Crescent
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Crown Crescent Back Road
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Crown Terrace
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Esplanade (1-30 inc.)
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Esplanade Gardens (37 only)
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Filey Road (1-19 odds only)
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Fulford Road (1 - 5a and 17 odds and just 2a, 2b and 2c evens)
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Greenfield Road
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Grosvenor Crescent
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Grosvenor Road
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Montpellier Terrace
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Oliver Street
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Oriel Crescent
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Prince of Wales Terrace
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Princess Royal Lane
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Princess Royal Terrace
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Ramshill Road
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Royal Avenue
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Royal Crescent
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Royal Crescent Lane
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South Street
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St Martins Avenue
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St Martins Place
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St Martins Road
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St Martins Square
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Trinity Road
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Valley Road (evens only 32-58)
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West Street (1-15 odds and 2-8 evens)
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West Terrace
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Westbourne Grove
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Westbourne Road
Fees
The fees are for the whole period of the Selective Licensing designation, which is for 5 years from 1st May 2022 to 30th April 2027. Fees are based on the running cost and management of the overall scheme. There are a range of fees, which differ for single and multiple unit properties. There are also a range of discounts and penalties which relate to certain circumstances.
The licence fee is split into two payments.
The first payment is paid when the application is submitted and covers the cost of determining the licence and is non-refundable if the application isn’t successful or you withdraw. This is a fixed amount of £180.00 and will apply to all licence types irrespective of the size of the property or whether it is subject to a discount.
The second payment is payable upon successful application before the licence is issued, i.e. from when the draft licence is issued. The second payment will be based on the type of property (see below) to be licensed and whether any discounts are applicable. The full licence will not be issued until the second payment is made in full.
There are 3 fees scenarios, dependent on the type of building and ownership, as follows:
- Single unit properties: This is for dwellings, which are a single unit, which could be a house, or a self-contained flat or non-self contained flat. The standard fee of £550 applies in this case and this requires only one licence.
- Multiple unit properties where the landlord controls the freehold: Where the landlord has the freehold of a block of flats a single licence will be issued for all the flats owned by the landlord plus the common parts of the building. The licence fee will be the standard fee of £550 for the first flats plus £100 for each extra flat within the same building. So if a landlord with the freehold owns 4 flats in the block, then the total licence fee will be £850 (£550 for the first flat and £300 for the other 3 flats). Where applicable discounts will be applied to the total cost of the licence (see below)
- Multiple unit properties where the landlord does not control the freehold: Where the landlord owns multiple flats within a building but does not own the freehold, then each flat will require a separate licence. The licence fee for the first flat will be the standard fee of £550, whilst the licence fee for any extra flats in the block will be £100 for each extra flat. So if a landlord who does not own the freehold owns 3 flats in the block, then they will pay a sum of £750 (£550 for the first licence and £100 each for the other 2 licences). Discounts will only be applied to the total cost of the flats to be licensed in the block and will not apply to each individual flat in the block, as the licence fee for the extra flats has already been substantially reduced.
Standard fees
|
Property type |
Standard Fee |
Initial payment |
Final payment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Single occupancy household
For each dwelling which is occupied by a single household (eg house, self-contained flat or non self-contained flat) |
£550 |
£180.00 |
£370.00 |
|
Buildings containing flats where the landlord owns the freehold
A single licence will be issued covering all of the flats within the control of the landlord |
£550 for first flat and then £100 for each additional flat within the same building
|
£180.00
|
£370.00 for the first flats and £100.00 for each additional flat within the same building |
|
Buildings containing flats where the landlord owns more than one flat in a building without owning the freehold (1)
As the landlord does not own the freehold, then each flat will require an individual licence |
£550 for first flat and then £100 for each additional flat within the same building |
£180.00
|
£370.00 for the first flats and £100.00 for each additional flat within the same building |
Discounts (2)
|
Discount Type |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Membership of selected organisation discount
Discount applies to members of one of the following organisations:
|
£50 |
|
Early bird discount
Applies to all licence applications received and fully completed with all requested documentation by 31st July 2022 |
£50 |
|
Multiple Applications
Applies to each licence application after initial licence application (does not apply to multiple licences in a block of flats where the landlord does not own the freehold of the block as a reduced fee of £100 already applies to these licences) |
£50 |
Notes:
- The Council can only issue a single buildings licence when the landlord is in control of the whole building. Where a landlord owns more than one flat, but is not in control of the freehold, the council cannot issue a single licence for the whole building and must require individual licence applications for each flat
- Where applicable, all discounts can apply to the same licence application (see examples below). In the case of multiple flats within the same building where the landlord is not the freeholder, the discount will only apply to the initial application
- Refunds are not normally granted should the licence be revoked or refused for any reason during the course of the licensing period. The only circumstances in which we would consider the refund of part of the licence fee is if the licence is revoked/refused prior to the Council undertaking an inspection of the licence. Please note that the Council will still charge for the processing and issuing of the licence and any other costs incurred up to the point that the licence is revoked/refused.
How to apply
Applications will need to be made on-line.
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.
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.
Licensing Conditions
You can read the licensing conditions here.
Refusals of licence applications
We can refuse your 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.
Appeals
You may appeal if we decide 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 within 28 days.
Penalties
It is an offence if the landlord or person in control of the property:
- fails to apply for a licence for a licensable property
- 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 below.
- Cabinet Report: June 2015: Selective licensing of Private Rented Accommodation
- Cabinet Report: December 2019: Consultation on Selective Licensing of Private Rented Accommodation
- Cabinet Report: May 2020: Selective Licensing within parts of the Weaponness and Ramshill ward
- Business Case for Selective Licensing
- Consultation Report and Summary