HUNDREDS of landlords in Hyndburn could face legal action after failing to apply for a tough new scheme aimed at tackling poor housing.

The council estimates up to 350 property owners have yet to apply for the selective licensing scheme – a national initiative to thwart rogue landlords renting out overcrowded and potentially dangerous homes.

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In a joint report, housing strategy and policy manager Fiona Goodfellow and head of regeneration and housing Mark Hoyle, said: “We estimate that there are approximately 300 to 350 properties in the selecting licensing area that require a licence for which an application has yet to be received by the council.

“We are currently gathering evidence via housing benefit and council tax records, Land Registry information, and local knowledge to target the owners and landlords.

“Ultimately, we will commence legal action if applications are not received.”

The scheme was introduced on December 1, 2012, with 73 per cent of 1,252 landlords who applied granted a licence.

The council said it has led to more than 900 privately rented homes being brought up to the required standard.

Hyndburn’s MP, Graham Jones, for Labour, said: “One of the reasons that 350 landlords have not signed up is because they are reluctant to.

“They know they have terrible properties and to meet criteria it will cost them thousands to bring the derelict properties up to a standard of repair.

“The council is determined to register every landlord and if there are some looking to avoid them, then they can expect the council to take a firm approach on behalf of tenants and neighbours.”

He continued: “Select Licensing is not about tenants and landlords, it’s about anti-social behaviour in certain areas where there’s a high number of privately rented properties.

“It’s a good thing because it aims to deal with some of the problems association with rogue, problem, or distant landlords.

“It forces them to provide all their details so they can’t avoid their responsibilities and it does not cost the council a fortune chasing them up.”

Selective licensing has been the cause of controversy in East Lancashire.

Experts claimed the scheme put people off buying to rent, contributing to a housing price slump.

Under the Housing Act 2004, landlords must apply for a licence to let of a property in a selective licensing area.

Earlier this year, Darwen landlords Stephen Doughty and Christopher Gac were ordered to pay more than £6,300 are falling to apply for a licence for their property in Sarah Street.

It was the sixth successful prosecution of unlicensed landlords by Blackburn with Darwen Council, with nine individuals having faced financial penalties.