CONSERVATIVES on Thurrock Council have accused the ruling Labour group of seizing an opportunity to 'profit' from bad landlords and they have welcomed a judicial review of procedures that the authority used to put legislation in place.

News of the judicial review, and an immediate injunction stopping the council from enforcing the legislation, was exclusively revealed in a Thurrock Nub News story yesterday (Thursday, 8 January).

Today local Conservatives issued a statement damning their political rivals over the scheme, which levies one of the highest costs against landlords in the UK.

The cost of the five year licence for a property in Thurrock is £1,034.90, for example compared with a fee of £808 in the neighbouring unitary authority of Southend-on-Sea City Council.

It says: "Thurrock Conservatives have long criticised the proposal by Thurrock's Labour Council of a tax levied against private tenants and landlords. 

"This would see the council demand payment from landlords for renting out properties, and would see costs passed down to tenants, costing as much as £100 a month.

"This is a punitive measure hurting the 'just about managing', who earn too much for social housing benefit but don't earn enough to buy their own property."

Thurrock Conservatives leader, Cllr George Coxshall, added: "Thurrock Conservatives stand against this tax and welcome the news that a judicial review has been granted. 

"This is a tax that will hit many Thurrock families that cannot afford to spend more in rent and, in many cases, based on best guesses.

"We welcome the news that a judicial review has been granted, and we hope that the campaigners against this tax are successful in their endeavour to overturn it.

"The ability for tenants to report bad landlords and for the council to take action against them regularly happened before Thurrock Labour realised they could profit from it."

Since news of the injunction broke, several private landlords have contacted Nub News saying they have not been informed of it by the council, even though they are in the middle of a payments procedure.

The fee is payable in two parts. Applicants had to pay £236.98 per property as an initial registration by Monday, 5 January. The rest is then due to be collected in installments by direct deduction from landlords' accounts. A caveat on the council's information page says the initial £236.98 is not refundable, even if the licence is not granted.

With the scheme inactive, some have asked for a refund of the initial payment and for guarantees that no more money will be taken. One landlord says he was 'very disappointed' with the response, which was:

"NOTICE Tuesday 6 January: We have temporarily suspended applications. We will update in due course. 

"Thurrock Council has published a range of information to support both landlords and tenants in understanding the Selective Licensing Scheme. We encourage you to take some time to review the guidance available, which outlines key requirements and responsibilities under the scheme."

At 3pm today Thurrock Nub News logged onto the council's selective licensing scheme (see cutting below) and there was no mention of the injunction - or what landlords should expect about payments that are still due.