A licensing scheme designed to improve the standard of private rented accommodation has been described as a ‘shambles’ by angry Landlords in Nottingham.

Some landlords say they have been forced to sell up following the introduction of the Selective Licensing scheme by Nottingham City Council, which has made it illegal for a landlord to rent out a property without the appropriate licence.

Landlords face a £30,000 fine or prosecution through the courts for not applying for a license. But despite the possible repercussions, the local authority had only received applications for approximately a quarter of the city’s rented accommodation by the 1 August deadline.

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The licence means the council can check properties are safe to rent and is aimed at weeding out rogue landlords. But many landlords feel the license is unfair and say they have no choice but to pass on the £780 cost of the licence per property – paid in two instalments over five years – onto tenants.

Others say money put aside to make improvements to properties will now be used to pay the fee, which, they say, could have a detrimental effect on the quality of rented accommodation in the long-term.

David Thomas, director of at Nottingham based letting agent Liberty Gate, told the Nottingham Post: “This is ruining the private rented sector in Nottingham.

“The council has not informed one single landlord directly. It is an absolute shambles.”

The scheme applies only to studios, one and two bedroom flats and family homes within some parts of the city.

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A spokeswoman for Nottingham City Council said: “If after August 1 landlords haven’t applied for a licence they do run the risk of a fine of up to £30,000, but the council will seek to work with those landlords. Issuing fines or seeking to prosecute landlords would be a last resort if the landlord is not engaging with the council.”

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