Rent licence scheme sessions for landlords

PRIVATE landlords who rent out properties in areas of Waterhead and Hathershaw within the Selective Licensing scheme are invited to a series of drop-in sessions.

The scheme is designed to improve the management of properties and flush out rogue landlords and irresponsible tenants.

Landlords operating within the designated areas (which can be viewed at www.oldham.gov.uk/selectivelicensing) need to make contact with the council to apply for a licence, which lasts for five years.

Oldham has areas of low housing demand and many properties in the rented sector currently fail to meet the required homes standard, which can have a terrible impact on the health and welfare of their tenants and the wider communities. The licensing scheme aims to reduce that by ensuring that private landlords meet satisfactory standards of tenancy and property management.

Through the application process landlords will need to show basic safety checks have been carried out and they have appropriate management arrangements in place.

It is a criminal offence to let a privately-rented property in a designated area without a licence, or fail to comply with any of the licence conditions.

Dedicated officers, recruited especially to run the licensing scheme, will host drop in sessions on Monday at St Barnabus Church in Arundel Street, Clarksfield, from 5-8pm and Tuesday at the Honeywell Centre in Hadfield Street, Hathershaw, from 5-8pm.