Landlord blames selective licensing for city’s surge in temporary accommodation

Landlord blames selective licensing for city’s surge in temporary accommodation

0:01 AM, 29th July 2024, About 3 hours ago

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A council admits more households than ever are being put in temporary accommodation, with a landlord blaming selective licensing for the increase.

Nottingham Council’s housing strategy report reveals that the council has increased the amount of temporary accommodation for families five-fold since 2017.

Mick Roberts, one of Nottingham’s largest landlords of benefit tenants, tells Property118 that his tenants have seen rent increases since the introduction of selective licensing.

The council introduced the first selective licensing scheme in August 2018, when average rents in the city were £664. However, rents have been increasing rapidly since the scheme was implemented.

Is Nottingham council proud of this achievement?

According to the council’s housing strategy report, the rate of temporary accommodation per thousand people in Nottingham is currently higher than the national average for England and has surged by 71% from 2020 to 2023.

Mr Roberts told Property118: “Is Nottingham council proud of this achievement? They’ve had to find five times more accommodation for the homeless, which they’ve contributed to!

“Selective licensing started in August 2018 — it’s clear to anyone that there’s a connection, yet Nottingham council seems unable to see it.”

Council wants to work with landlords

Previously, Nottingham council told us that they did not dispute that rents in the city have gone up after licensing was introduced but told us that selective licensing is not to blame – the reason, it claims, is down to recent interest rate hikes.

The council added its licensing scheme is not designed to make a profit.

In the housing strategy report, the council promises to end the routine use of B&Bs for families with children by 2025.

The council also claims it wants to work with landlords to increase the number of suitable housing options for people who become homeless.


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