TENANTS in some of the most deprived areas of Bournemouth would incur the costs of a proposed landlord licensing scheme should councillors agree to proceed with it, a councillor has claimed.

Cllr Nick Rose told Bournemouth Borough Council’s cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the proposal for a selective licensing scheme for Boscombe East and West, East Cliff and Springbourne would put tenants out of pocket as they take the brunt of any fees payable by the landlord.

The council hopes to tackle antisocial behaviour, crime and poor quality accommodation in these areas by pushing out “bad landlords” through the licensing process.

“Every single landlord in the selective licensing area will have to pay a fee and therefore it’s human nature that they will pass this down to their tenants,” he told the Daily Echo following the meeting.

“What the fees are, we don’t know because they haven’t done the business case. They’ve said in their own document that a business case must be submitted to cabinet for approval before they can decide it goes to consultation.

“This is, in my opinion, a revenue-raising scheme which will be taxing the most vulnerable in our community.”

He said he would seek to have the decision called in for review.

Gary Josey, director of housing and communities, told cllr Rose he was not prepared to answer his questions at the meeting for fear of predetermining the result of the consultation.

“We want to hear all voices not just those who are against it,” he said.

Cllr John Beesley, leader of the council, told cllr Rose his “rather aggressive line of questioning” was not helpful to the meeting.

Richard Price, director of operations at the National Landlords Association, said the “proposal is very much using a sledgehammer to crack a proverbial nut” and that the socioeconomic problems that exist in Boscombe would merely be transferred to other areas of Bournemouth.

Councillors unanimously agreed to the 16 week consultation set to start on December 5 which will see landlords, tenants and residents within the area consulted through focus groups.