Plans for a licensing scheme for landlords that aims to improve conditions of poor housing in the district are being drawn up.

The motion was voted in at a council meeting after it was put forward by Mayor of Dover Cllr Pam Brivio.

It should reduce overcrowding and anti-social behaviour and improve the condition of rented accommodation.

It is understood that parts of London and Margate have experienced success with the scheme.

The motion said: “In view of the successful selective licensing schemes for the registration of private landlords, particularly in London and more locally in parts of Thanet, this council calls on cabinet to draw up plans to implement a similar scheme in this district as soon as possible in order to drive up the quality of privately rented housing available to all our residents.”

Cllr Brivio said after the meeting: “I am very pleased to have cross-party support for the introduction of a selective licensing scheme for areas of the district.

'This should bring improvements to private rented accommodation, particularly in places like Folkestone Road, Dover.' - Cllr Brivio

“This should bring improvements to private rented accommodation, particularly in places like Folkestone Road, Dover.

“There is need for a scheme like this in parts of the district and across the UK, where the quality of private housing is not as good as it should be.

“What happens when an area becomes run-down is people leave, house prices fall, speculative landlords move in, and the community becomes weaker.

“This can lead to overcrowding, anti-social behaviour, unsettled communities, and other social and economic problems.

“The new scheme should tackle those problems by asking landlords to comply with better standards than previously expected.”

“This scheme should send out a message that we won’t accept poor housing. We want good landlords, good tenants and an area people can be proud to live in.”