BLACKBURN with Darwen Council plans to renew and extend its landlord licensing scheme while upping the fee by 50 per cent.

The move has been branded ‘absolutely scandalous’ by a leading estate agent.

Borough bosses have started consultation on the re-designation of two of the three areas covered by the controversial system.

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The scheme in the Infirmary area of Blackburn covering 400 rented homes will be slightly expanded and the one in Central Darwen will almost double in size beyond the current border at Cotton Hall Street into the roads off Greenway Street affecting 600 properties to let.

The costs of a landlord licence in the two areas originally designated in 2009 will rise from £500 to £750.

The cost of a licence must cover the cost of the scheme and cannot allow the council to make a profit.

Paul Ainsworth-Lord, who runs an estate and letting agents in Darwen, said: “This is absolutely scandalous.

“It is a money making exercise .

“There is no need to re-designate or extend these areas.

“There is certainly no need to increase the fee by half.

“It will put people off becoming landlords.”

The council is required by law to consult again before re-designating an existing selective landlord licensing area and may need approval from the local government secretary to do so.

Borough housing boss Yusuf Jan-Virmani said: “Selective licensing addresses the problem of poor quality landlords, anti-social behaviour and crime.

“It made a positive difference and we are beginning to see the results of that .”

The report approved by Blackburn with Darwen’s ruling executive board earlier this month promises that: “A hardline approach will be taken towards enforcement.”