Thousands of property inspections have already been completed under Peterborough City Council’s Selective Licensing scheme, identifying and addressing issues across the city’s private rented sector in its first 18 months.
The scheme, which was introduced in March 2024, requires landlords in designated areas of the city to hold a licence for each property they rent out to ensure they meet agreed safety standards. As part of the licence conditions, every property will be inspected twice during the five-year licensing period.
So far, 3,141 inspections have been carried out, uncovering more than 17,000 health and safety hazards. These include serious risks to tenants such as damp and mould, electrical faults, fire safety failings, and other missing or inadequate safety measures.
While many properties appeared compliant on paper, for example, with up-to-date safety certificates, inspections have revealed issues that may otherwise have gone unreported. Almost half of all properties inspected contained at least one hazard posing a significant risk to tenant health and safety, including risks to life. Fewer than one in ten properties were found to be entirely hazard-free, highlighting the vital role inspections play in ensuring standards are met and tenants are protected.
In most cases, landlords have responded promptly to inspection findings, with more than 90% of identified issues already resolved by landlords within agreed timescales. Where they have failed to take action, Home Safe, the council’s delivery partner, has referred cases back to the council. This has only been necessary in a small number of instances, demonstrating the scheme’s effectiveness in driving improvements.
Councillor Christian Hogg, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services, said: "Selective Licensing was introduced to help raise standards across the private rented sector in Peterborough, tying in with our key goal of creating strong and sustainable communities. I am delighted that the scheme is helping us to achieve this aim and would like to thank everyone involved, including council and Home Safe officers as well as landlords themselves.
“The fact that so many issues have been identified and resolved in a short space of time shows that the scheme is working effectively. It also demonstrates that such an initiative was needed, helping tenants in the affected areas to enjoy a better standard of living.”
Mike Brook, Scheme Manager at Home Safe, added: “These findings highlight just how important inspections are in raising housing standards. While many properties look compliant on paper, inspections have revealed risks in nine out of ten homes. The encouraging response from landlords shows the scheme is working, hazards are being tackled, and homes are becoming safer for tenants across Peterborough.”
All properties inspected as part of the Selective Licensing scheme will be revisited during the five-year period to ensure that required improvements have been made and that standards continue to be met. Further information about the scheme, including guidance for landlords and tenants, is available on the council’s website.
The council continues to remind landlords in designated Selective Licensing areas who have not yet applied that they are required to do so without delay. Landlords operating unlicensed properties may face a financial penalty notice of up to £30,000, an unlimited court fine, and may be ordered to repay up to 12 months’ rent to tenants.
For more information about the Selective Licensing scheme and how to apply, visit our Selective Licensing Scheme page.