Are Rents Increasing in Telford & Wrekin?

A new system to licence landlords in the Telford & Wrekin area has come under fire for potentially leading to higher rents. 

Here at Nock Deighton, our lettings and property management team also have concerns about the council’s “private licensing scheme”, which would see landlords and letting agents having to apply for a five-year licence costing £600. 

The council says that the licence - which would only apply in Hadley and Leegomery, Malinslee and Hollinswood, Brookside and Sutton Hill and Woodside - would improve the standard of rental property. 

But Dawn Clarke, director of lettings and property management here at Nock Deighton, says introducing a licence is the wrong way of going about it. 

She says: “As reputable, ARLA Propertymark Registered Agents, we can see why this proposal has been put forward, in order to raise standards of some of the properties that are being let. 

“However this unfairly penalises hundreds of landlords who maintain their investments to a high standard and strive to ensure their tenants are happy. 

“It appears private landlords are again been targeted, following the introduction of higher stamp duty, the cutting of tax relief on mortgage interest, and the proposal to ban tenant fees. We are certain this can only lead to rent increases throughout the region. 

“A vast majority of the houses we manage are owned by landlords who have only one or two properties as long-term investments and pension schemes. If they decide to sell this will cause a major shortage of rented properties in the Telford area - again leading to rent increases. 

“Local authorities already have powers to place improvement notices on properties under the Housing Act 2004 if landlords fail to carry out essential maintenance on their properties following written requests by their tenants, without the need for licensing.” 

For more advice about how these proposals could affect you, contact the Nock Deighton property management and lettings team on 01952 290 163.