A CAMPAIGN to ban slum landlords in Leeds by introducing a licencing system has been launched in the city.

Leeds Acorn community union handed a letter to Leeds City Council’s housing department bosses suggesting landlords should be licenced in the same way as many other businesses.

They are campaigning under the banner “BanSlumLandlords.”

A Leeds Acorn statement said: “You need a licence to cut hair, you need a licence to look after dogs, but you don’t need a licence to house people. 

"We don’t think that’s right and we’re demanding that Leeds City Council ban slum landlords by implementing landlord licensing across our city.”

The group said landlord licencing would enable the council to set standards for the condition of properties, enforce gas and electricity safety, fire safety, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), safe furniture, carbon monoxide alarms and other issues.

“The result is fewer slum landlords and safer, better quality housing for renters,” the group said.

In 2019, Leeds City Council approved a limited selective licensing scheme covering 6,500 rented properties in inner-city Beeston and Harehills.

Landlords pay £825 for a five-year landlord licence. 

Leeds Acorn wants it expanded to cover the whole city.

The group said: “Private tenants are familiar with the problems of private rents – mould, damp, stolen deposits, astronomical up-front costs, persistent disrepair, unaffordable cost, and little insulation

“Poor quality housing has a massive impact on the quality of life and wellbeing of tenants.

“Alongside poor conditions and unaffordability, private tenancies are fundamentally insecure and short term.

“There is a fundamental imbalance of power in the landlord-tenant relationship.”

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “We understand the issues raised by ACORN Leeds and are continually reviewing measures to ensure the highest levels of housing quality across the city.

“Any citywide licensing scheme would require a business case developing showing that it meets one of the six criteria as laid down by national legislation. Any scheme which exceeds 20% of private rented properties or covers greater than 20% of the council’s geographical area would require approval from the Secretary of State as it is not within the gift of the council to designate schemes of this size.

“Two schemes operating within these requirements are currently in place in the Beeston and Harehills areas of Leeds, and they are being regularly monitored and reviewed to see if they may be suitable to introduce in other areas of the city as appropriate.”