TOUGHER licensing for Burnley landlords could be extended to another part of the borough.

A 12-week public consultation on whether selective licensing should be introduced in one area of Burnley, and existing schemes extended in three other areas, is about to be launched.

Selective licensing encourages landlords and residents to work together with the council and other partners to improve areas by improving the management of private rented properties, tackling anti-social behaviour and crime and increasing demand for housing.

Burnley Council wants to gather the views of residents, landlords and other interested parties before making a final decision in January next year. The consultation will run until November 26.

The current Trinity, Gannow and Queensgate selective licensing areas are due to end in 2019.

Council bosses say there is an improving picture within these areas but despite these improvements the proposed selective licensing areas are still in low housing demand, when compared to the rest of the borough.

It is thought not continuing with selective licensing at this stage would present a risk that these improvements will not be sustained or built upon.

The council is also proposing to introduce selective licensing in the Daneshouse and Stoneyholme area due to the low demand for housing and poor property conditions.

A questionnaire will be hand delivered in the proposed areas and all known landlords operating in those areas will be sent a letter inviting them to complete an online questionnaire.

Cllr John Harbour, executive member for housing and environment, said: “It’s important that residents and landlords particularly get involved with this consultation and tell us what they feel about a selective licensing scheme running in these areas."

“All the feedback will be taken into account before we make our decision, and the more information we have the better. That’s why the council is doing all it can to get that feedback.”

There will also be drop-in sessions for residents.

In Trinity, Parkside Methodist Church in Cog Lane will host sessions between 3pm and 7pm on September 12 and October 17. And St Matthew’s Church, St Matthew’s Street will host sessions between 4pm and 7pm on September 13 and 3pm and 7pm on October 18.

Sessions for Gannow will be held at Gannow Community Centre between 3pm and 6.30pm on September 18 and October 22. In Queensgate, there will be two sessions at Linkbridge Centre, Swinless Street, between 3pm and 6.30pm on September 25 and October 30.

For Daneshouse with Stoneyholme residents, there will be a session between 3pm and 6pm on September 20 and 2pm and 5pm on October 29 at Chai Centre, Hurtley Street.

Two landlord events will be held on October 2 and November 12 at Burnley Town Hall.

Landlords wanting to attend must book a place by contacting landlords@burnley.gov.uk or phone 01282 425011 and ask for the selective licensing team.

There are officers dealing directly with enquires available by phone on 01282 477234 or email landlords@burnley.gov.uk.