North East Lincolnshire Council is set to implement a selective licensing scheme in parts of Grimsby’s East Marsh to improve housing conditions and address deprivation. The scheme will require landlords to pay a licence fee and meet defined property standards.
The programme will cover the area from Durban Road to part of the A180 Cleethorpe Road and from Victor Street to Park Street. Cooper Road, Fairmont Road, and Columbia Road have been removed following consultation. East Marsh ranks among the top 1% of most deprived wards nationally.
Fees for the scheme are proposed at between £899 and £1,284 over a five‑year period, with a 10% discount for landlords who apply early. Fees will be higher for late applications, but the programme is not expected to generate additional revenue. Landlords will also be required to take reasonable steps to prevent anti‑social behaviour in their properties.
The council plans to launch the scheme within six months. A similar selective licensing initiative is due to start in parts of Scunthorpe shortly.
The policy aims to improve the quality and safety of private rental housing. Some industry groups have raised concerns that the measures could place a financial burden on compliant landlords while having a limited impact on non‑compliant or criminal operators.
