Landlords urged to ignore social media ‘experts’ and sign up to selective licensing scheme

Landlords who are in Birmingham’s new selective licensing scheme are being urged to ignore social media ‘experts’ who say they don’t need to apply for a licence.

Landlord Licensing & Defence says the advice could see the landlords who don’t apply being hit with a £30,000 fine.

And the firm warns that enforcement begins on Monday 4 September, so landlords are running out of time to comply.

The licensing scheme is the biggest in the country and covers 25 wards and around 50,000 rented homes.

‘No reasonable excuse for not making the application’

The firm’s housing enforcement and casework director, Des Taylor, warns: “There is no reasonable excuse for not making the application no matter what you are waiting for or are lobbying the council.

“The scheme is in place which means it is the law – and an offence is committed as soon as you do not make an application in the required time.”

He adds: “Any social media group that tells you something different should not be followed. The social media ‘experts’ telling landlords not to license their properties are inciting them to commit a criminal offence under the Housing Act 2004.

“There’s a simple question to ask if someone is saying you don’t have to apply – and it is this: Is the person who is giving me the advice properly qualified to give it?

“And if they’re not qualified to give it through their experience or knowledge, then are they prepared to pay your fine when they tell you not to apply or to protest?

“If the person advising you that you don’t have to apply is willing to pay your fine then that’s great, feel free to listen to them, however, even if they do pay your fine you could still have a criminal record.”

Responding to social media rumours

Landlord Licensing & Defence says it is responding to social media rumours that have come to its attention that landlords don’t need to sign up.

And the social media groups are saying just 15% of landlords have signed up currently to underline their belief that joining the scheme is not mandatory.

Mr Taylor said that a landlord relying on a ‘reasonable excuse’ for not applying is in for a surprise.

He points out that the defence has only ever been successful in a handful of cases out of several thousand.

‘Protesting, disagreeing, or waiting for responses’

Mr Taylor continued: “Protesting, disagreeing, or waiting for responses from the council about any issues or anything else are not reasonable excuses.

“If a licence is required within the selective licensing area, then that licence must be applied for when required.”

He added: “Landlords in Birmingham should not run the risk and they should remember the council does not care about your circumstances – the law says you need a licence, so get one.”

The firm adds that assistance to landlords to apply for any type of property licence is available from multiple professional firms, including Landlord Licensing & Defence.

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