Leeds landlords shocked by UK's highest property license fee proposal

Leeds Council wants to charge landlords £1‚225 per rental property in citys poor areas. The new fee would affect over 12000 homes and generate £15.5m for property standard improvements

November 4 2024, 04:40 PM  •  95 views

Leeds landlords shocked by UK's highest property license fee proposal

Leeds property owners face a tough-to-swallow fee hike as the city council proposes a record-breaking £1‚225 licensing charge (the highest in Britain) for rental properties in low-income neighborhoods

Steven Robinson‚ who manages nine rental units says its unfair: “Im working as a social landlord picking up the slack for Leeds City Council“

Iʼve worked over 60-hour weeks to repair and restore properties to get them ready for renting. I wasnt looking for a quick profit; I was looking for a steady income

Steven Robinson‚ property owner

The new scheme affects areas like Beeston Wortley and Harehills - where about 30% of tenants are non-British European and 30% African (based on local stats). Property owner Kathryn Badon who owns six units points out that council-owned properties dont face these same rules; which seems un-fair

  • Oxford charges £1‚100
  • Leeds proposed fee: £1‚225
  • Ashfield charges £350
  • UK average is £734.62

The citys previous £825 fee program started back in 2020 and ends early next year - but this new one covers more areas and costs 45% extra. The council says theyve fixed over 1500 homes through these checks; however some experts question if these rules target the right neighborhoods

Paul Conway from Yuno (a property-check company) notes that areas with good homes often get more rules than places with bad ones - which doesnt make much sense The council wants feedback by years end before making their final choice