Selective Licensing In Levenshulme

Manchester City Council has launched a consultation on proposals for Selective Licensing in parts of Levenshulme. This would affect private rented properties.

This is the area proposed in Levenshulme. It would Include flats, suffixed and sub-addresses in this area.

StreetPost code
1-48 Damien Street (All)M12 4GW
72-118 Hemmons Road (Evens)M12 4QG 
M12 5ST
37-94 Longden Road (All)M12 5SG
1-38 Maida Street (All)M12 4QQ
1-57 Ollier Avenue (Odds)M12 5SU
1-42 Seddon Street (All)M12 4GP
81-135 Stovell Avenue (Odds)M12 5SE
M12 4GN

Levenshulme | Proposed areas for Selective Licensing | Manchester City Council

The consultation will run for 10 weeks from 5th October – 14th December 2022.

Please see link below to Manchester City Council’s website, which provides background information about the proposals and includes details of how residents and landlords can have their say, by completing an online questionnaire or by attending an in person drop-in event.

www.manchester.gov.uk/consultations

Further information from Manchester City Council is available HERE and below:

Why are we considering selective licensing?

We have introduced a revised Private Rented Sector Strategy (2020-2025) with a detailed implementation plan. This sets out the Council’s approach to the private rented sector over the next five years. The new Housing Strategy (2022-2032) reaffirms our commitment to improving the safety, quality and management of private rented sector homes.

There are approximately 90,000 private rented properties which is 38% of the total housing for the City of Manchester. We know that many PRS (Private Rented Sector) properties provide good quality accommodation, however there are areas of Manchester where PRS properties are not managed to a good standard.

We work with teams across Community Safety, Compliance and Enforcement regularly and work with landlords in the private rented sector in dealing with complaints about anti-social behaviour, poor property management, waste issues and proactively work to remove any concerns in these areas. 

Despite this, we have not seen sustained improvements in areas unless additional interventions are introduced. Enforcement against individual properties alone will not improve standards to the level required across each area. 

Manchester has previously had an accreditation scheme, and we have considered voluntary accreditation as part of our work in Manchester. However, our experience is that these schemes inevitably attract landlords who are already providing a good service to their tenants and do little to engage or improve the property conditions of those landlords who are not. 

The Council has the power to introduce ‘selective licensing schemes’ in areas of Manchester. In these areas private landlords, or their managing agents, would need to have a licence for each house that they rent out. There are approximately 3,200 private rented properties in the current selective licensing schemes and the proposed selective licensing schemes would affect 1,100 private rented properties.

Selective licensing ensures that:

  • The proposed licence holder is fit and proper to manage their properties. 
  • The licence holder complies with the conditions of the licence, leading to improvements in property management and reductions in anti-social behaviour 
  • Property inspections can be targeted 
  • Landlords provide necessary certification
  • Unlicensed landlords can face an unlimited fine if prosecuted through the courts, or up to £30,000 if issued by the council. 

To make sure that selective licensing helps to improve social or economic conditions, we want to introduce designated zones within the ward areas of Cheetham, Levenshulme, Longsight, Moss Side and Whalley Range, and Rusholme. 

See which areas we are proposing for selective licensing and have your say

Find out more about the benefits of selective licensing and how areas are chosen

Read conditions the licence holder must comply with

How an area is picked for selective licensing

When a Selective Licensing designation is being considered an area has to be experiencing one or more of the following conditions: 

  • Low housing demand  
  • A significant and persistent problem caused by anti-social behaviour 
  • High levels of migration
  • Poor property conditions
  • High level of deprivation 
  • High levels of crime

Before identifying any areas for selective licensing a ‘hotspot’ mapping exercise was undertaken looking at levels of anti-social behaviour, crime and service requests relating to housing and environmental issues, as well as levels of deprivation across the City. This data was overlaid to identify areas where challenges were likely to be concentrated.  

Updated statistics for each of the areas can be found on our key statistics page.

View the key statistics for: 

Views were then sought from local Neighbourhood and enforcement teams on boundaries for potential selective licensing areas within these ‘hotspot’ areas based on their local knowledge of the issues within each area.

In September 2020 the Council Executive held a meeting on past selective licensing in order to inform any new selective licensing schemes.  The new licensing schemes being considered are in relation to tackling property condition, deprivation and anti-social behaviour.  For more details on this you can read point 96 in the report and associated appendix on this topic in the Wednesday, 9 September, 2020, 2pm (manchester.gov.uk) agenda for Council Executive.

In June 2022 the Economy Scrutiny Committee reviewed updated local statistics which confirmed that the proposed areas continue to meet the necessary criteria for selective licensing and approved an outline consultation plan. For more details you can read section 11 onwards in the report and associated appendix in the Thursday, 23rd June, 2022 2.00pm (manchester.gov.uk) agenda for Economy Scrutiny

How much would a licence cost?

The proposed licence fee is £800. The licensing fee is split into two parts, the application fee and the grant fee which is payable before any licence is issued. Non-payment of the grant fee will result in an application being delayed.

Once we have set an area for selective licensing, landlords will have three months to get their licences.

See the current fee structures

Income generated from licensing fees will be used to pay for the consultation process, administration, management and running of the scheme.

The Council does not generate surplus funds from selective licensing schemes. The income generated, the bulk of which is collected in years one and two, is required to manage and resource the scheme for its full designation.

Further Discretionary £150 Council Tax Rebates

Manchester City Council is making additional £150 payments to people via a council tax rebate.

This is a further payment from the government that Manchester City Council has decided how to allocate from the government’s £1,626,150 discretionary fund allocation to Manchester.

Manchester City Council says:

“We’ve made discretionary Council Tax Energy Rebate payments of £150 to some of our residents most in need. For some families and residents aged 80 or over, this is a second payment of £150. If you pay your council tax by Direct Debit, we’ve paid the £150 directly into your bank account and sent you a letter. If you don’t pay by Direct Debit, or have no council tax to pay, we’ve sent you a Post Office Voucher.”

Manchester City Council

People who qualify for these payments should receive them by 11 July 2022.

Further details are available HERE

Proposed Tenants Union

Levenshulme & Burnage proposed Tenants Union

Open meetings to find out the plans and to join up will be held:

Saturday 5th February 2:30pm – Sun in September Pub

Thursday 10th February 6pm – Levenshulme Inspire

Organised by Greater Manchester Tenants Union (part of) tenantsunion.org.uk contactable on: info@tenantsunion.org.uk

Energy Switch Incentive From Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Greater Manchester Combined Authority has partnered with the Big Clean Switch energy comparison site to encourage switching to clean energy. This includes a £35 credit when you switch to one of the participating suppliers.

“Greater Manchester Combined Authority is committed to making the city a clean energy leader. We face major environmental challenges that threaten the health and prosperity of our region. Greater Manchester is taking action with the 5-Year Environment Plan, to be launched at the Green Summit. The plan sets out our long-term environmental vision – to be carbon neutral by 2038 – and the urgent actions we all need to take in the next 5 years to help achieve this.” 

BIG CLEAN switch website

Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester Mayor) was promoting the scheme on BBC Radio Manchester today (23 September 2021). However, caution is advised as one of the suppliers used by the Big Clean Switch site – Bulb Energy – is currently in crisis talks with the government with reports that it has or will go bust very soon.

The Big Clean Switch website for this offer is available HERE

Please Note: Energy supplies in the UK are currently in a chaotic state with suppliers going bust and extreme volatility in the market. The LCA is sharing this for information only and this does not constitute advice or a recommendation in any way.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority says:

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is working with Big Clean Switch to offer residents £35 of free energy when they switch to a green tariff from some of the UK’s most trusted suppliers.

With many households across Greater Manchester facing rising bills due to more time spent at home, the scheme helps residents switch to low cost, high quality green energy tariffs.

 Switching is simple:

  1. Find a recent bill from your current supplier and fill your details in on the form (link opens in new tab).
  2. You’ll be able to compare your current energy bill with how much you’ll spend with each of Big Clean Switch’s green suppliers*. Suppliers who are offering the £35 free energy with an account credit will show in the supplier list. If you choose a supplier that isn’t taking part, GMCA will receive £35 to help fund local environmental projects.
  3. Once you’ve selected your preferred deal, just add in a few details to get your new energy account set up. Your £35 of free energy will be added to your new account within six weeks of the switch going live.

For more information on the scheme, email help@bigcleanswitch.org or call Big Clean Switch on 0800 249 4770.

EU Settlement Scheme Deadline Only 2 Days Away

URGENT

Please check this information from the UK Government Home Office if you are an EU citizen. You MUST apply for settled status by 30 June 2021 or you will lose the right to remain in the UK following the implementation of Brexit by the UK government.

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Free Online Energy Advice Event

This year a lot of people have been hit hard financially, and many will struggle to afford to keep their homes warm over winter. To help, a team at the University of Manchester have put together a webpage with free advice on reducing energy costs and keeping homes warm: www.step-in-project.eu/online-energy-cafe- manchester/

CHAT WITH QUALIFIED ENERGY ADVISORS

If you visit the webpage anytime between 10am-12 noon on 7th December, or between 2pm-4pm on 10th December, you can use an instant messaging service to speak anonymously with qualified Energy Advisors from Groundwork, an independent, not-for-profit organisation in Greater Manchester. They can answer your questions and provide free advice about keeping warm, reducing energy costs, and accessing financial support.

More information and advice including videos is available on the website.

Online Energy Advice Event

“Our Future Manchester” Council Survey

Manchester City Council is half way through its ten year strategy for the city. It is now doing a survey about priorities at the half way point. You can go direct to the survey (deadline 23rd September 2020) HERE.

The questions in the survey are weighted towards prioritising issues that have already been determined but there is also opportunity to comment.

The Council’s description / introduction to the survey is below for reference or can be viewed HERE.

The current version of the “Manchester Strategy” is available HERE. The existing priorities state that the city needs to be:

  • Thriving — creating great jobs and healthy businesses that our people benefit from. 
  • Filled with talent – homegrown in all our local communities as well as the world’s best. 
  • Fair — with equal chances for all to unlock their potential, no matter where in our city they were born, or where they live. 
  • A great place to live — with loads to do, leading the way to a low-carbon future that creates new opportunities for our residents
  • Buzzing with connections — world-class transport and brilliant broadband that put all Mancunians in touch with chances to get ahead. 

The Council says:

“The challenge to now include everyone in this successful future is bigger than ever. But Manchester is determined to do it. We’ve seen, through the COVID spring of 2020, what coming together in new ways, and doing things differently, can achieve.

Help to reset Manchester’s ambition to be the place where everyone can be everything they want to be. Take the survey, tell us your priorities, share your ideas and let us know how you can play your part in moving Our Manchester on.”

Manchester City Council Strategy Survey
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Manchester Property Boom Documentary

A new four part documentary series – Manctopia: Billion Pound Property Boom – starts tonight on BBC2 at 21.00.

The iPlayer link and trailer is available HERE

Manchester skyline image courtesy of BBC website

Levenshulme Community Manifesto Meeting

Come along and find out about the new Levenshulme Community Manifesto on Wednesday 28th February at The Klondyke. Developed by and for our community it is a statement of what our community wants for the future of Levenshulme.

Find Out TONIGHT Why These People Want To Be Your MP

Your election.
Your  MP.
Eight people ready for your questions TONIGHT.
19.00 at the Jain Centre, 667-9 Stockport Road, M12 4QE.

  1. ABIDOGUN, Kemi (Christian Peoples Alliance)
  2. CLIFFORD, Peter (Communist League)
  3. DISCO, The Irrelevant Johnny (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)
  4. GALLOWAY, George (Independent)
  5. HOPKINS, David Michael
  6. KHAN, Mohammed Afzal (Labour Party)
  7. MAYO, Jess (Green Party)
  8. PEARCEY, Jackie (Liberal Democrats)

Major Levenshulme Housing Development Approved

A major housing development has been approved for the former Atlas Engineering site off Chapel Street.

The development will provide:

  • Erection of 64 no. dwellings comprising of:
  • 28 x two bedroom apartments with associated 28 space car park and communal bin storage area;
  • 22 x three bedroom houses;
  • 6 x four bedroom houses;
  • 8 x four bedroom houses with garages;
  • boundary treatments (including walls, railings gates and fences), formation of new access road linking Elbow Street and Stanhope Street and landscaping following demolition of existing buildings.

This will be a significant improvement as this site has been derelict land for many years. Developers Mulbury will start work in Spring 2017.

David Wroe, head of Mulbury Living, said:

“This site provides an excellent opportunity to increase the supply of high-quality, sustainable family homes in Levenshulme. By regenerating a site that has fallen into disrepair, these homes will also have a significant positive impact on the local area, including a new street layout and landscaping.

The development has been designed with respect for the existing homes in the area. They will be of a modern appearance with the use of red-facing brick and rendered gables, while the apartment block will acknowledge the architecture of the former Atlas Mill.”

View the planning application HERE

View the article from Place North West HERE

News article from Mulbury HERE

See the plan superimposed on an aerial photograph HERE (Thanks to Tim Blackwell)