THOUSANDS of residents are being asked for their views on a five-year strategy to tackle irresponsible landlords.

Under the plans, Stoke-on-Trent City Council wants to use the law to force private landlords in hotspot areas to apply for licences before they can rent properties to tenants.

If the selective licensing initiative is approved, a pilot scheme will be set up next year in Tunstall.

The council wants to focus on 661 privately rented properties in and around Bond Street and Newfield Street, as well as 215 homes in the Pinnox Street area.

The licences will only be granted to landlords who agree to:

Maintain their properties to a decent standard;

Obtain proper references from tenants;

Tackle or report tenants' anti-social behaviour;

Comply with health and safety regulations.

Lack of re-investment in privately rented accommodation has been blamed for much of the decline in the city's housing in recent years, which has prompted the ongoing £1.6 billion housing renewal intervention led by Renew North Staffordshire.

The council has also established a link between some private tenants and incidents of anti-social behaviour, which blight communities and accelerate their physical decline.

Councillor Brian Ward, pictured, cabinet member for housing, planning and transportation, believes it is time to hold landlords to account for the state of their properties and the behaviour of their tenants.

He said: "We are looking to use these powers because we are serious about raising the quality of accommodation in the city.

"We have many excellent private sector accredited landlords, but there are many privately rented properties which are not of a decent standard and we need to do more to help ensure they are of a decent quality.

"This scheme offers support to private landlords, and is designed to help to improve communities."

Mr Ward also urged residents and landlords in the proposed pilot scheme areas to have their say on the strategy, as the council embarks on the three-month consultation.

He added: "I'd like to see as many people as possible respond to the consultation because this initiative is about improving their area."

Following the consultation, a report will go to the cabinet.

If the policy is approved, the authority aims to get the pilot scheme up and running within three months.

Richard French, the chairman of Tunstall's Queensland Residents' Association, covering the area around Queens Avenue, said he supports what the council is trying to do.

He said: "I think it's a good idea, but I'm a bit disappointed that our area hasn't been included in the pilot scheme, because we have a lot of issues with private properties here.

"It seems that some landlords just want the money, and they aren't too fussy about who they put in their properties, which can lead to problems.

"I think the landlords should be held more responsible for what is going on."

How do you think irresponsible landlords should be dealt with? Email us at letters@the sentinel.co.uk