Challenge Of Enfield Additional Licensing Scheme
Following our application to the Court of Appeal, we now have permission to challenge both the additional licensing scheme, which covers small Houses in Multiple Occupation (3 or more people, in 2 or more households, sharing amenities) and the selective licensing scheme (single household lets). The strengthened case is being sent back to the High Court.
The judicial review trial of the entire scheme is currently listed in the High Court for Wednesday 26th November, as a one-day trial. It will take place at the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London.
We do not yet have details of the room or start time, so please plan to be there at 10.15. Details are normally provided mid-afternoon the previous day and we will send out a mailshot.
Our barristers will be Jonathan Manning and Justin Bates, both of Arden Chambers. They previously overturned the licensing scheme in Hyndburn.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far to the fighting fund. We still need your support. If we win and get costs back, we will refund your investment.
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Thank you for your continued support.
Best wishes, Constantinos
Last Wednesday,12 November, Enfield Council re-approved its decision to implement the additional licensing scheme, even though a High Court judge described the original decision as “arguably unlawful”.
Constantinos spoke against the decision, highlighting a submission to Parliament by Enfield Council in January 2013, where they said:
“Enfield considers that the introduction of more draconian legislation would penalise the good landlords as well as the bad and the most effective way of improving standards in the private sector is to ensure robust enforcement using existing legislation.
…
With a background of high demand for private rented housing and a shortage of properties in the market, the roll out of licensing of landlords in Enfield would not be beneficial with regards to increasing the supply or improving the standard of private sector housing.”
Blog Post from Campaign Against Landlord Licensing in Enfield
Thanks to Seth Anderson for The Royal Courts of Justice Image
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