Selective Licensing Schemes SLS
Selective licensing gives local authorities the power to introduce licensing for all privately rented properties in a given area. The area subject to a selective licensing scheme (SLS), can apply to a whole ward, or just a street where by all private landlords must obtain a licence.
Where a council has a Selective licencing scheme (SLS) in place it is possible under certain circumstance for an Interim Management Order (IMO) to be enforced, this being a power under the Housing Act 2004, whereby local councils can effectively take over the role of a landlord that is failing to meet standards required. When a management order is in place the council steps into the shoes of the landlord and collects rent from the existing tenants, can use this for upkeep and can even create new tenancies during the life of the order, which is up to 12 months.
See Selective licensing in the private rented sector A guide for local authorities published by Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government for further information.
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