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There is a great need for good quality rental property in County Durham.
Durham County Council has bought in a new scheme to regulate landlords and managing agents of private rented property in selected areas of County Durham. The scheme covers approximately 29,000 homes which is over 40% of the properties in the county’s private rented sector.
The selective licensing came into effect on 1 April 2022 and will expire on 31 March 2027.
The aim of the selective licencing is to:
ensure that private rented properties offer tenants a choice of safe, and well managed accommodation, and where necessary raise standards of private rented properties.
improve health and wellbeing of tenants - it is recognised that poor housing standards can have a major impact on the health and wellbeing
provide safe and healthy homes by reducing housing hazards and disrepair
reduce anti-social behaviour by 10% from baseline figures
improve management standards increasing compliance rates
These principles are in line with ours at ReadyLet Proeprties. Since we set up the business 5 years ago we have been buying properties in County Durham which have been left to get run down and are in a poor condition and refurbishing them to a standard which exceeds the Durham Decent Homes Standard, improving the desirability of the properties and the neighbourhoods and homing approximately 10 families in superior homes per month.
If you purchase a property within one of the selective licencing areas you must
apply for a licence for each residential property they rent out
prove you are a 'fit and proper person' to hold a licence
have adequate management arrangements in place
take action to assist with anti-social behaviour in your properties
During the application process you will be asked to upload gas certificates, proof of electrical checks, tenancy agreements and energy performance certificates. We will supply you with all neccessary documents when you complete your purchase and help you with the application.
The licence lasts for five years and is not transferable.
The licence fee is £565 per property and is payable in two parts, the first on application and the second when the licence is granted.
If you are the licence holder and:
you already hold a selective licence in County Durham on 1 April 2025 and apply for a licence for an additional property along with all supporting documentation within 12 weeks of the property becoming licensable then the fee is £420 per property (Part A £165, Part B £255)
you do not hold an existing selective licence in County Durham on 1 April 2025 (Part A £200, Part B £365)
You and anyone else involved in the management of the property (for example, a manager or managing agent) must show they are a 'fit and proper person'. This means they will be assessed for any:
offences involving fraud or other dishonesty, or violence or drugs, or any offence listed in Schedule 3 to the Sexual Offenders Act 2003
unlawful discrimination on grounds of sex, colour, race, ethnic or national origins, or disability
breaches of housing or landlord and tenant law
Link - https://propertylicensing.durham.gov.uk/
Link to PDF from Durham County Council
To find out more about Selective licensing of privately rented properties in County Durham vist their website - https://www.durham.gov.uk/selectivelicensing