The High Court has rejected a renewed attempt by landlords to prevent Thurrock Council's selective licensing scheme from being implemented. This decision paves the way for the full implementation of the scheme, which requires landlords to pay £1,034 for a licence.
The latest hearing also resulted in the claimants being ordered to pay a £7,500 legal bill. This ruling follows the court's written decision on 13 March, which dismissed the original judicial review claim and allowed the council to begin implementing the scheme.
Thurrock Council stated that selective licensing is intended to improve housing standards in the borough's private rented sector, aiming for safer and better-quality housing for tenants. The council added that it would continue to work with landlords to fully implement the scheme following months of uncertainty caused by the legal challenge.
The Thurrock scheme was introduced in January, despite opposition from 193 local landlords and letting agents who argued it was unnecessary, unfair, and financially punitive. This decision follows a separate court win in June for another council to implement selective licensing in its area, and a Supreme Court refusal of an appeal by landlords in Luton last month against their own licensing plans.