Selective Licensing Nov 21

Southend Borough Council has now released details of the Selective Licensing application process, including key dates, who needs to apply and who can make the application.

Who requires a licence?

  • Selective licensing applies to all privately rented residential properties occupied by one or two individuals, or one family households located in selected areas
  • To check if your property falls within the Selective Licencing Scheme area refer to the map on the council website – link to map https://southend.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a417422b8b0845b2b3918278386d3029. Addresses in blue will need a licence.
  • Landlords must apply for a licence for each property they rent out in these wards. This includes multiple rented flats in the same block or building. Each separate flat in a building will need its own individual licence.
  • There are some exemptions and full details can be found on the government website https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/370/made.

How to apply

  • Applications for licences can be made online from Wednesday 1st December 2021 by completing a form. No applications can be made before this date.
  • Once your form is submitted, you will receive a reference number for your application. You will then be able to log in and monitor how your application is progressing
  • If you apply before 1 April 2022, you will receive a 25% discount
  • Enforcement action for failing to licence properties in the Selective Licencing Scheme zone will not begin before 1 April 2022
  • All property safety requirements and size standards continue to apply
  • If your property is already licensed as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) under Southend’s mandatory HMO licensing scheme, you will not need to apply for a selective licence. Each property is only subject to one type of residential licensing scheme.

Who can apply for a licence?

A property licence can be applied for by the property owner, the managing agent or a limited company.  There are specific requirements in each circumstance, details of which are listed on the Southend Borough website.

https://www.southend.gov.uk/private-housing/selective-licensing-scheme/1

For a landlord, letting or managing agent to be given a private rented property licence, they will need to prove they are a ‘fit and proper’ person. This will include a declaration about any criminal offences. This will be found in the application.

What information will you need to apply?

To make sure your application goes smoothly, you will need to have the following information at hand;

  • Details of the licence holder, including name, address and date of birth
  • Room sizes in square metres
  • Details about the property structure, and location of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
  • Name and addresses of all people and organisations with an interest in the property (such as freeholders, leaseholders, managing agents and mortgage provider)
  • Documents (gas safety certificate, electrical and floorplan with measurements)
  • Payment card details.

Licence Fees

The full licence fee is £668 payable in two parts:

  • Part 1 – £168
  • Part 2 – £500

This will be applicable to any applications received from 1 April 2022 onwards.  However, there is a discount period of four months (1st December 21 to 31 March 22) where a 25% discount will be offered to landlords who apply during this window. The fee structure for that is as follows:

The discounted licence fee is £501 payable in two parts:

  • Part 1 – £168
  • Part 2 – £333

A licence is for five years, from the date that it is issued. The council may issue a licence for a shorter period, subject to additional conditions if there are concerns about the management arrangements or standards.

Applying on your behalf

We will be offering a licence application service to all of our landlords.  We anticipate our fees will be in the region of the following for this service (see below)  and will be confirmed once the application form has been released.

Single licence application

We anticipate a fee of £260 including vat for one property. Discounts will be available for multiple property licence applications.

Room size confirmation

There will be a fee of £99 including vat for room measuring if you need to confirm room sizes to complete the licence application.  If you have your original sales details or a floorplan to hand, we will be able to use these documents at no additional cost.

Licence holding

There is an option for Pace to be the licence holder on your behalf. This means we will be legally responsible for the property rather than you.  Our charge for this will be 2.5% of the monthly rent including vat.  However, we will need to issue you with new terms of business before we can undertake this role.  This is because we need to confirm in writing that we have the right to make decisions on your behalf.  For instance, if property maintenance is necessary, we are allowed to make the decision that repairs must be made.

As always, please do contact the Pace office if you have any questions or would like to discuss Pace making your licence application.  We can be reached on 01702 445 600 during our normal office hours or email us at [email protected].

lettings agent southend on sea - crystal horwood

Crystal joined Pace in 2007 and was appointed to her current role of Managing Director in 2010, heading up the company founded by her father in 1994.

She is responsible for the daily operations of the business, whilst also ensuring the company is financially sound, has strategic direction and is planning for future growth.

Crystal takes a thoughtful and considered approach to all that she does, transferring her determination to deliver implicit care, attention and professionalism to every member of her team.

Pace employ 20 full time staff. Meet the key team members here.