PROPERTY A further major concern was


that, given the onslaught of financial and regulatory changes directed at the sector, selective licensing could become the straw that broke the camel’s back and result in landlords selling up with the result that the tenants this scheme was intended to help may well end up worse off as they compete for fewer quality properties and face higher rents. Nottingham is a fast-paced and


competitive rental market which needs more landlords and properties in the marketplace to meet the demands of businesses that need attractive city centre properties to house employees. So, six months on, are the


concerns raised locally and nationally by industry experts being realised? Certainly, fears about the level of


bureaucracy have been realised with claims that the 76 office staff administering the scheme are sinking in paperwork. As of November 2018, 13,450 applications had been received, of which 5,993 had been processed. Of these, only 2,457 have been validated, while a further 3,536 have been returned to landlords because of paperwork errors. Landlords point to the poor quality of the online registration forms causing mistakes in their completion.


The concern of many landlords


and those within the business community that I speak with regularly is that selective licensing will ultimately reduce the amount of quality accommodation in the rental sector. In a city dominated by huge increases in student housing, the concern is that reputable landlords that rent to professionals may leave the market, reducing stock and driving up prices for tenants. Indeed, already some tenants are blaming the scheme for their landlord’s decision to sell up or raise rental prices. Regulation of the PRS market is


essential to raise standards across the industry and improve the professional image of landlords and agents. In my opinion, the best way to


do this is to make it compulsory for all landlords and lettings agents to be regulated by an approved industry body. This would ensure consistent


standards nationally as it would require agents and landlords to operate at a higher standard than that currently required by law; such as to have minimum levels of qualifications, client money protection and professional insurances. None of these are currently required by Nottingham City Council’s selective licensing scheme.


Housing plans for Waterside Quarter


Housebuilder Avant Homes has acquired a significant parcel of land at Chesterfield’s £340m Waterside development where it now plans to build 177 new homes. As a result, it has submitted an


application to Chesterfield Borough Council for reserved matters planning approval for the £36m development which will deliver a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes in ‘The Park’ neighbourhood of the Waterside project. Subject to approval of the


application, construction at Waterside Quarter will start in summer 2019 with the first homes released for sale in autumn 2019. Chesterfield Waterside is


recognised as one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, and is being led by Chesterfield- based Chamber member Bolsterstone Group Plc in conjunction with Arnold Laver Group and Chesterfield Borough Council.


Peter Swallow, Managing


Director of the Bolsterstone Group Plc, said: “The deal with Avant Homes is the start of an exciting new phase in Waterside, one that I know the people of Chesterfield have been waiting for. “The homes planned for the


site embody the aspiration for Chesterfield Waterside. They are both contemporary and high quality in design which, when combined with their location, will create a highly desirable and sought after residential neighbourhood.” Councillor Tricia Gilby,


Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader, said: “Chesterfield Waterside will bring many benefits to the town and it’s pleasing to see the plans for the new homes to be built as part of the development move a step closer. “The detailed plans are


subject to final approval by the council’s planning committee, which will carefully examine the application to ensure the needs of our residents are best met.”


business network February 2019


59


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