A NEW licensing scheme for rented properties has been approved in a bid to crack down on rogue landlords.

Scheduled to begin early next year, the selective licensing scheme will require all landlords in Brighton and Hove to meet a certain standard in order to obtain a licence from the council to let a property.

City councillor Tracey Hill, who worked on the scheme, said: “It’s great that our application to introduce this scheme has been successful.

“This will allow us to raise standards in more privately rented homes in the city and help us make sure that tenants in the sector can live in safe, healthy and well-managed homes.”

The scheme will also ensure that landlords meet a “fit and proper” character test. About 27,000 properties are expected to be affected by the scheme.

Current figures show almost 90 per cent of properties required improvements to ensure they were fit and safe for occupation.