A PROPOSED licensing scheme for Boscombe landlords will go out to public consultation on Monday (Jan 9).

If the so-called Selective Licensing scheme goes ahead, all landlords in a designated area will have to pay hundreds of pounds for a licence.

The idea of the scheme is that it will tackle anti-social behaviour and poor quality homes. It will affect roughly 900 landlords of almost 5,000 properties.

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

Local residents, tenants, landlords, managing agents and other members of the community interested in the proposals are being encouraged to provide feedback on the scheme during the 16-week consultation, which ends on May 1. The results will then be presented to Cabinet in July.

Further information and a copy of the questionnaire is available at bournemouth.gov.uk/selectivelicensing from Monday or paper copies are available at all local libraries.

Members of the public can also find out more information and meet with housing staff at a number of drop in events:

• Wed 11 January – Boscombe Library – 10am – 2pm

• Sat 21 January – Southbourne Library – 9.30am – 1pm

• Thurs 26 January – Springbourne Library – 4pm – 7pm

• Sat 4 February – Boscombe Library – 10am – 1pm

• Thurs 9 February – Springbourne Library – 1.30pm – 4.30pm

• Thurs 23 February – Southbourne Library – 4pm – 7pm

• Sat 4 March – Springbourne Library – 10am – 12.30pm

• Thurs 9 March – Boscombe Library – 4pm – 7pm

• Thurs 16 March – Southbourne Library – 1pm – 4pm