Bristol landlords oppose new licensing fee scheme

Almost a third of people living in the city are privately renting their homes

Landlords across a city have objected to new licencing which aims to improve the standards of private accommodation.

Bristol City Council approved the landlord licensing scheme at a cabinet meeting on 6 February.

The increased fees will help the council hire inspectors to check that certain homes meet standards, and potentially demand improvements.

Landlords objecting to the changes say they would unfairly increase costs to those already complying with standards.

The changes will affect multiple occupation (HMOs) across Bristol, as well as other privately rented homes in Cotham, Easton, Bishopston and Ashley Down lived in by families, couples or single people.

Under the new licences, HMOs will cost landlords about £1,800 and other privately rented homes in Cotham, Easton, Bishopston and Ashley Down will cost £912.

These areas were chosen as a high proportion of homes there are rented, with many in poor condition.

Council bosses are expecting to raise millions from new licence fees, which will be spent on inspections

From more than 1,500 responses to the public consultation, 52% of people agreed with the plans whilst 40% disagreed.

Letting agents and landlords criticised the cost of the licences, and also warned the extra fees could lead to higher rents for tenants, less affordable housing getting built, and some landlords leaving the market, meaning fewer homes available to rent.

The council previously set up landlord licensing schemes in some parts of Bristol, which led to thousands of properties being inspected and a similar number of improvements made.

During the cabinet meeting, Councillor Kye Dudd said: "We're delivering on our manifesto commitment to expand landlord licensing schemes in the city.

"This is a tool that will help us improve the quality and management of private rented properties.

"The evidence from the earlier schemes is clear: it has driven up standards."