A scheme which regulates privately rented properties in County Durham could be reviewed.
Durham County Council’s Cabinet will be asked to agree to a consultation to review its selective licensing scheme beyond 31 March 2027.
The existing scheme, which has been in place since April 2022 and lasts for five years, requires landlords to obtain a licence and comply with set conditions when renting properties in designated areas of the county.
If agreed by Cabinet, the council will carry out a 10-week engagement exercise on whether the scheme should be continued beyond March 2027.
The new scheme would cover an estimated 20,000 properties in areas that meet the criteria for a selective licensing designated area. This would cover 27 per cent of the county.
Areas which are included in the current scheme but no longer meet the criteria for a designated area would be removed from April 2027.
Cllr Joe Quinn, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for planning, investment and assets, said: “In County Durham, we have a large private rental sector. In some areas, it is estimated that up to 60 per cent of all homes are in the private rental sector. While many of these homes are good quality, much of the stock is older, not energy efficient, or in need of repair or refurbishment.
“A key priority in our County Durham Housing Strategy is to ensure everyone has access to appropriate, safe, and secure housing. One way in which we are achieving this is by ensuring effective landlord services through our selective licensing scheme.
“Over the last five years, the selective licensing scheme has allowed us to work closer with landlords and provide additional support to ensure their rental properties are of a high standard and meet the needs of residents. It has also allowed us, where needed, to take enforcement action when a landlord has failed to engage with the scheme and not provided safe housing for their tenants.
“We are now considering building on the current selective licensing scheme and would be seeking views from all members of the community, including landlords, tenants and residents, to ensure we have a wide range of feedback.”
Cabinet will be asked to agree to a consultation when it meets on Wednesday 6 May.
If a consultation is carried out, feedback will be presented to Cabinet later this year, where councillors will be asked to decide on whether to continue selective licensing.
