Legal Challenge Delays Scunthorpe Landlord Licensing Scheme

The rollout of North Lincolnshire Council's selective licensing scheme for private landlords in Scunthorpe has been delayed due to a legal challenge from the Crosby Landlords’ Association. The scheme, which was set to begin on March 20, 2024, requires landlords in specific areas to obtain a license for £955 over five years and comply with safety and anti-social behavior regulations. The legal challenge questions whether the council followed proper procedures in approving the scheme, rather than disputing the rules themselves. As a result, the council has suspended all applications and will announce a new launch date in due course. The initiative aims to improve housing standards in the area but has left landlords and tenants in uncertainty. North Lincolnshire Council has not yet commented on the ongoing legal proceedings.