Leeds County Council is launching a selective licensing scheme with the remit of cracking down on rogue landlords in deprived communities.
The scheme will cover 12,500 privately rented homes in the wards of Armley, Beeston & Holbeck, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill, Gipton & Harehills, Hunslet & Riverside and Farnley & Wortley.
The scheme is designed to ensure the properties have working gas or electric appliances, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as making sure the properties are in a decent state of repair.
Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said: “We are determined, as a council, to ensure that everyone in Leeds can enjoy the stability and sense of security that comes with having a safe, warm and well-managed place to live.
“To do this, we need to focus on all types of housing – including private rentals, which account for a fifth of the city’s homes.
“I’m delighted, therefore, that the business case for a new and expanded selective licensing scheme has been endorsed by the council’s executive board.
“This decision means we can now press ahead with preparations for the introduction of a scheme that we believe will make a huge difference to the standard of privately-rented homes.
“Given the clear link that exists between poor housing and poor health, it’s our hope that this scheme will also have a really positive impact on the general wellbeing of residents in disadvantaged communities.”
Leeds previously had two selective licensing schemes that ran in Beeston and Harehills areas from 2020 until the start of 2025. Over that time more than 6,700 inspections were carried out.
The council’s recent selective licensing scheme cost landlords £825 per property.
