I would like to put my views across through your prestigious newspaper concerning the Croydon Council introduction of selective licensing of rented properties.
It says the reasons for this is to stop anti social behaviour, which is totally incorrect as this is the job of police and not the landlords.
Funnily, most antisocial activities take place in council or housing association estates.
Another reason, it says, is that some landlords allow tenants to live in a garage or shed; again this is the job of Croydon planning and enforcement department, not the landlords.
There are other reasons too, for which there are already controls in place.
The truth is that Croydon Council is poised to increase its revenue through this exercise, collecting £350 a property as it estimates that there are 30,000 such private properties in the borough.
It has not done its research properly and did not ask the views of the tenants.
The ratio of rogue to good landlords is very low and it is penalising good landlords.
By introducing this scheme, the council is forcing landlords to increase the rent or sell their properties.
The council will then have no option but to accommodate people in need of housing in expensive hotels or other types of accommodation.
By introducing this scheme there will be constant aggravation between landlords and tenants as properties need to be inspected frequently, involving cost and time.
Some landlords have invested in this sector in lieu of their pension and they are retired or approaching retirement and it would be too much for them.
Moreover, the lender would be reluctant to lend on investment properties in the Croydon area.
As a result there will be shortage of private properties in the borough, which will increase the rents.
ARIF MOHIUDDIN
by email
- Send your letters to: letters@croydonguardian.co.uk
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