A petition for action on rogue landlords and houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) will be debated in full council on Thursday 18th July 2024.
The East Marsh ward trio's of Liberal Democrat councillors want urgent changes to the Council's housing policy concerning East Marsh.
More than 400 people have signed it. The petition calls for Selective Licensing, which would require all landlords in the East Marsh area and beyond to obtain licenses monitored and enforced by NELC, and Article 4 Direction Regulation, a regulation that would require all new HMO developments in the area to obtain planning permission.
Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe will present the petition. She said, "The Council’s current housing policies and enforcement powers are totally inadequate and need to be revised and updated to effectively tackle the serious challenges our communities face.
“For instance, many people in the East Marsh are suffering from unsafe living conditions due to absentee landlords neglecting essential repairs of their properties, while the Council lacks effective powers to address this issue and safeguard our residents.
“The reports we’re hearing from tenants are heartbreaking—damp homes, black mould, roof leaks, faulty electrics and no heating in winter, all of which are having a devastating impact on people’s health and wellbeing. Our residents deserve so much better.
“These issues not only severely impact tenants, but they often have a knock-on effect for other residents in the community, including homeowners and responsible landlords. Houses are closely connected in the East Marsh, with terraced and gridded streets. Unsafe living conditions like roof leaks and damp can pass through to other homes, as well as devalue well-maintained properties on the same street, and thus undermine the overall quality and community spirit of our neighbourhoods.
“It is crucial that the Council implements Selective Licensing and an Article 4 Direction for the East Marsh to better protect the well-being and rights of everyone in our area, and effectively give residents a voice they’ve long been denied”.
The East Marsh housing petition is the second local Liberal Democrats organised earlier this year. The other concerned Park Ward and was launched by campaigner Zachary Kellerman. It called for an Article 4 Direction to limit the spread of HMOs. It has been presented and awaitss debate at an appropriate council committee.
Fellow East Marsh ward Councillor Steve Beasant emphasised the critical need for these changes. He said “Discussions about licensing landlords began 10 years ago when I urged the then Labour council to introduce a new scheme. They failed to act, and since then, the council has not done enough. Together with Cllr Aisthorpe who is presenting the petition in full council on Thursday with Cllr Emmerson, we are pushing for immediate action. The council needs to prioritise the safety and well-being of our residents first and foremost”.
East Marsh Lib Dems Councillor Loyd Emmerson added: “East Marsh faces significant challenges, but with the right policies at NELC, we can begin to transform our area for the better. Other authorities have successfully implemented these strategies for several years, while North East Lincolnshire Council continues to lag behind. Selective Licensing and Article 4 Direction are proven tools that can substantially improve our community and residents’ daily lives. It’s unacceptable that so many residents have had to suffer while these regulatory powers remain unused in our area. The Council must act now to ensure that all residents receive the support they deserve”.
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