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What do you think about the Council's Tenant Tax proposals
30/12/2014 23:36:00......Posted by Mario Creatura
In July I gave my first speech in the Council chamber, critiquing Labour's proposal to implement a £200 per property charge on all landlords per year. There are 30,000 private rented properties in the borough, and there were little over 1,000 complaints last year. Eveidently the vast majority of landlords aren't greedy robberbarons trying to foist decrepit buildings onto vulnerable tenants, so this unnecessary tax appears will penalise the majority but with no evidence it'll improve the conditions for the minority. Thankfully the consultation period for this scheme is still open. Please take a moment to feedback on the Council's plans to adopt landlord selective licensing across the borough: 'The Housing Act 2004 has given councils the power to introduce the licensing of privately rented properties to improve conditions for tenants and the local community. Under the proposed licensing scheme, all private landlords with properties let in the borough will require a licence for each of their rented properties. The council will need to determine that the proposed licence holder is a 'fit and proper' person to manage their properties. Landlords renting a property without a licence face fines of up to £20,000, while those that fail to comply with licence conditions can be prosecuted and fined up to £5,000. We have been consulting with landlords, managing agents and other associations since 1 September 2014 and have also run a wider public survey for four weeks from 17 November to 12 December 2014. Following a High Court ruling on Thursday 11 December 2014 (regarding the extent of consultation the London Borough of Enfield carried out in relation to their selective landlord licensing proposals), we have decided to run a further 10 week consultation on our options. This further consultation runs from Tuesday 23 December 2014 to Monday 2 March 2015. For those who have already had their say and completed the survey, be assured your feedback has been received and there is no need to resubmit your response but if you have additional comments on the options you can submit them. For more information and to take part, visit www.croydon.gov.uk/betterplacetorent Paper copies are available on request, or if you need another language or format please call MEL research on 0121 604 4664 After the consultation ends Croydon Council’s cabinet will decide whether to go ahead with the proposals later in the year.'
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