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A controversial licensing scheme for private landlords is set to be introduced in Netherfield, after plans were approved today.

The scheme, which is similar to one due to be introduced in Nottingham, will see private landlords charged hundreds of pounds per property.

The initiative, which the council says will be cost neutral, is designed to improve living standards for tenants.

It will apply only to properties within the Netherfield ward, and be charged based on whether landlords are council-accredited or not.

It comes after Gedling Borough Council held a consultation on the plans, in which a majority of residents were in favour of the scheme.

After feedback, the council agreed to lower the cost of the licences by 25 percent for landlords with accreditation from a professional-standards body.

It means landlords with an accreditation will be charged £490 for each property, with non-accredited landlords due to pay £640 once the scheme comes into effect in October this year.

The licences will last five years, meaning a non-accredited landlord will pay £2.46 a week, while one with accreditation will pay £1.88 per week.

Around 635 properties will be affected by the scheme, of which 381 are rented out by non-accredited landlords.

The measure includes a number of exemptions, including where a property is rented out for social housing, and holiday lets.

The powers to charge landlords are granted to councils under the Housing Act. So far only one other local authority in Nottinghamshire, Ashfield District Council, has implemented the charges, which can be enforced by prosecution and a potential fine if breached, however a similar scheme will come into effect in most parts of Nottingham later this year.

The council released the results of the consultation into the scheme. One Gedling resident wrote: “There are large pockets of deprivation in Netherfield. Some property investors see this a great opportunity to gain high returns. The down side to this is that people on low income is affected and have to live in poor housing conditions.

“There are properties in Netherfield that have single glazed windows, damp and no central heating and hot water.

“This shouldn’t be tolerated. It is clear that this area needs to be regulated and improvements need to be done.”

Using money generated through the scheme, the council hopes four new members of staff will be recruited to help monitor conditions and inspect properties.

Labour’s John Clarke is the leader of the council, and also a councillor who represents the Netherfield ward, where the changes will be brought in.

Speaking at today’s cabinet meeting at the council’s Civic Centre, he said: “There’s a good chunk of people living in low-quality dwellings all over the county and the country, so I’m particularly pleased to see this coming in.

“I have represented Netherfield for so many years, but we have had some people who have just let their properties go.”