All landlords will have to be licensed to own property in Boscombe under a new scheme to tackle anti-social behaviour and poor quality homes.

Bournemouth council hopes to tackle anti social behaviour, crime and poor-quality accommodation by designating large parts of the area for a scheme called Selective Licensing.

If approved around 900 landlords of almost 5,000 properties will have to pay hundreds of pounds for a licence.

The scheme is designed to ensure all landlords are 'fit and proper persons', support landlords in tackling antisocial behaviour, protect tenants from poor housing conditions and bad landlords and help landlords improve the worst properties.

Landlords who fail to sign up to the scheme could face penalties up to £20,000.

The area suggested is roughly from Springbourne fire station roundabout in the north to Boscombe Spa Road in the south, and from Bournemouth station in the west to Pokesdown station in the east.

And Cllr Bob Lawton, Cabinet member for housing, said he is optimistic the scheme will benefit both landlords and tenants by giving the council more control over what goes on in the area's private rented accommodation.

He said: "Some areas of Boscombe are some of the most deprived in the country. A lot of the landlords are good but unfortunately there are some rogue landlords.

"We want to address those who are not acting responsibly towards their tenants and also the tenants who are not acting responsibly towards their landlords."

In order to gain a licence, landlords will have to prove that they are a "fit and proper" person, that their funding arrangements are satisfactory and that they are competent to manage the property.

Checks will be made on gas and electrical safety and smoke alarms. Landlords will also be required to get references from prospective tenants.

They may also be required to take steps to reduce or prevent anti social behaviour by their tenants.

Across the UK around 18 per cent of property is privately rented but the figure rises to 31 per cent for Bournemouth as a whole, 47 per cent in Eastcliff and Springbourne and a huge 62 per cent in Boscombe West.

The proposal will go before a Cabinet meeting in Bournemouth on Wednesday November 9 for permission to go out for consultation.

The proposed consultation will last for 16 weeks until March, when a decision will be made. The council hopes all landlords will apply by September if it is approved.

This is the first time Selective Licensing has been used in Bournemouth but other local authorities have used it including Oxford, LiverpoolBristol, Blackpool and several London boroughs.

Cllr Lawton said he believes the area identified qualifies due to the high number of rented properties, high levels of crime and anti social behaviour and deprivation.

Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are already subject to licensing and will be exempt from the new scheme, as will social housing.