Salford agrees scheme to raise housing standards

A scheme to encourage landlords to raise the standards of rented properties in Salford has been re-introduced in parts of Langworthy and extended to cover Seedley and Weaste for the first time. Salford City Council has approved the plans which went through extensive consulation. The scheme will come into effect on March 4 next year and will require landlords who privately rent out properties in the designated areas to obtain a licence from the council. They 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 operate a privately rented property in the designated area without a licence or fail to comply with any of the conditions of the licence. Salford was the first local authority in the country to obtain government approval for selective licensing and it was first introduced successfully in the Seedley and Langworthy regeneration area in 2007. Since then it has been launched in Broughton. “Tenants renting private accommodation have the right to expect decent homes. This scheme has proved successful in helping raise and maintain standards over the last five years,” said Gena Merrett, assistant mayor for housing and environment. “I have taken into account the views of tenants, residents,local councillors,landlords and their representatives and these have been reflected in the final scheme. I hope the scheme continues to build on improvements in this area which are encouraging more people to choose to live there and strengthening the housing market.”