A group of around 40 letting agents and landlords are starting legal action against Leicester City Council to fight the proposed £1,290 licensing fee, which they describe as “unreasonably extortionate”, for a selective licensing scheme.  Property118 carried a report on the action (see link below).  The solicitors are acting on a “no win, no fee” basis and the group hopes that more landlords will join in the action.

The fees charged by many other Councils, including the London Borough of Newham at £750, are significantly lower.  Fees have frequently been criticised by landlords largely because they are seen to be a tax when they are supposed to just cover the costs of administering the scheme.  Landlords have long held the view that funds have been diverted away to fund other Council services which breaches legal guidelines for licensing schemes.

Watch this space!!  Property118 | City landlords sign up to sue council over ‘extortionate’ licensing fee – Property118