Landlords have criticised Coventry Council for pushing ahead with a new licensing scheme, which it says goes against government guidance for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

Coventry is planning to bring in a licensing scheme from May 4, but the National Residential Landlords Association claims this is “irresponsible”.

The group pointed to government advice that states: “Where local authorities are in the process of introducing non-mandatory licensing schemes, but these are not yet in force, they should consider[… ] pausing these at an appropriate point, in line with the advice on proactive and reactive work.”

Under the new citywide additional licensing scheme, landlords around 4,000 properties will be affected on top of those who let houses in multiple occupation that are already caught by mandatory licensing.

Mandatory licensing applies nationwide to all landlords with properties that house five or more people who form two or more households with shared facilities. 

Additional licensing schemes, such as the one Coventry is about to introduce, allow councils to introduce extra restrictions to tackle particular problems in their area that are not covered by the mandatory rules. 

These could be safety issues, poor maintenance of properties or anti-social behaviour. 

Additional licensing allows the council to impose rules on properties with fewer than five tenants which would not normally be captured by mandatory licensing. 

Coventry’s new additional licensing scheme will cover houses occupied by three or four tenants that have been converted to self-contained flats.

NRLA policy director Chris Norris says: “The guidelines are there to protect tenants and landlords from unnecessary contact. 

“Where a licensing scheme is introduced, landlords have to go into their properties to check that they meet the licensing obligation and maybe need to carry out non-essential works. 

“This exposes them and the tenants to an enhanced risk of contagion.

“Several local authorities have done the right thing and paused the introduction of new licensing schemes in response to the crisis including Luton and Newcastle and we are asking Coventry to do the same.

“It would be thoroughly irresponsible of the council to ignore the guidelines and go ahead with their plans.”

Coventry Council cabinet member for housing and communities councillor Tariq Khan says: “The additional licensing scheme, which is designed to protect the safety of tenants, was approved last year to come into effect on 4 May, but there are safeguards for tenants and help available for landlords so evictions can be avoided – especially at this difficult time.

“These included extending the date for compliance for a further six months – until November – and that landlords will only be asked for the first stage payment of £450.

“It is hoped that this will show landlords that enforcement action will not be pursued and that a reasonable approach should be taken in these exceptional times to help tenants stay in their homes and to stay safe.

“The government has also recently passed the Coronavirus Act which includes measures to suspend evictions from private rented accommodation, giving more time for tenants, along with a package of support for private landlords.

“If a landlord is having problems paying the initial fee, or needs advice we would urge them to contact us so we can work together to ensure we find a solution tailored to individual requirements.  

“If landlords are attempting to illegally evict tenants then the Council will investigate such cases.”