A landlord-led bid to overturn Thurrock Council’s selective licensing scheme has been blocked by the High Court, clearing the way for the authority to resume enforcement of its controversial property licensing regime.
The scheme, which mandates a five-year licence costing landlords £1,034 per property, had been temporarily halted in January after an injunction was secured by a local landlord group. Following last week’s High Court ruling refusing permission for a judicial review, the council has confirmed it will immediately restart implementation.
Under Selective Licensing, the council requires private landlords and managing agents to have a licence for any rental properties within most of the borough. The licence helps ensure that properties are kept safe and in good condition, gardens and yards are clean and tidy and landlords manage anti-social behaviour by tenants, such as noise, litter and illegal dumping.
Council Leader Councillor Lynn Worrall announced the development at a cabinet meeting, stating the authority had always been confident in its legal position. Officials will now issue fresh deadlines to landlords, with the scheme expected to bring rented properties under closer scrutiny.
The landlords argued the licensing regime was disproportionate and failed to account for local market conditions. They warned that additional costs would inevitably be passed to tenants through higher rents.
The Thurrock case follows a familiar pattern seen elsewhere in England, where landlord groups have repeatedly sought to challenge selective licensing through the courts – with limited success. The Great Yarmouth scheme faced a similar challenge, reinforcing the high legal threshold such cases must meet.
With the injunction lifted, Thurrock Council can now take enforcement action against non-compliant landlords, including civil penalties of up to £30,000. Property owners in the designated area are advised to prepare for new application deadlines.
For landlords in Thurrock and beyond, the ruling underscores a key reality: once a licensing scheme has completed statutory consultation and received council approval, overturning it through judicial review is an extremely difficult prospect. Engaging during consultation, rather than after approval, remains the most effective route to influence policy.
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