Medway Council  has now agreed to spend £50,000 looking licencing which it says would tackle poor property conditions within its borders as well as anti-social behaviour, poor housing quality and deprivation.   See the details here

The meeting heard that the council will take a stick and carrot approach to the scheme, using both enforcement to fine landlords who do not sign up to the scheme or maintain their properties at minimum standards, but also offer them help and advice on how to upgrade properties.

Medway has yet to decide how big its scheme will be – since 2016 all schemes that exceed 20% of a council’s geographical area or more than 20% of its privately rented homes must be signed off by the Secretary of State.

Cllr Naushabah Khan, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing and Property, said: “This is a really positive step towards addressing some of the challenges residents are facing with private rented properties.

“We want everyone in Medway to be able to live in properties which are maintained to a high standard.

“We also recognise the challenges that landlords face and part of these new measures, if introduced, would include advice for landlords.”