In a controversial move, Nottingham City Council has released a video tutorial aimed at assisting landlords in navigating its selective licensing application process. This comes in the wake of widespread criticism regarding the functionality of the council’s website, which landlords claim is faulty.
Landlords who fail to complete their license application within the stipulated timeframe are now at risk of facing a substantial fine of £1,233, according to the latest warnings from the council. The move has sparked discontent among property owners, with one landlord describing the online application system as a “complete waste of money.”
Mick Roberts, a prominent figure among Nottingham’s largest landlords catering to housing benefit tenants, expressed frustration over the challenging nature of the licensing website. He revealed that the online form’s complexity has left approximately 13,000 landlords at risk of incurring hefty fines due to non-completion.
“The licensing website is so hard to complete that approximately 13,000 landlords have not completed the online form potentially at risk of a huge fine,” remarked Mr. Roberts. In response to the difficulties faced by landlords, the council has resorted to producing a video tutorial guiding them through the application process.
Critics, including Mr. Roberts, questioned the need for such an instructional video and called for a more user-friendly website design from the outset. Mr. Roberts emphasized the financial implications for landlords, noting that the council is charging an additional £340 for failure to complete the license on time.
“The more the council attacks landlords, many will simply decide to sell up,” warned Mr. Roberts. He highlighted the contradictory stance of the council, with one department seeking more housing while the other imposes fines and restrictions on landlords. The frustration among landlords is reaching a tipping point, and many are considering selling their properties.
“Licensing was brought in to make life better for tenants; instead, it’s constantly restricting their supply,” criticized Mr. Roberts. He called for collaboration within the council to address the issues at hand and urged a resolution to prevent landlords from walking away and selling their properties.
In response, the council released a statement advising landlords to act promptly to avoid substantial fee increases. The statement outlined that failure to submit applications on time may result in a ‘Less Compliant’ fee of £1,233, emphasizing the council’s commitment to facilitating a seamless licensing process for all parties involved.