Great Yarmouth landlords warn of rent rises due to new rules.

Landlords are claiming that they will be compelled to raise rents and evict tenants as a result of new rules aimed at improving housing conditions in a specific area of Norfolk.

Great Yarmouth landlords have written dozens of letters and emails notifying tenants that they would have to pay more to remain in their properties in the future.

The letters explain that the increases, which range from £70 to £90 per week, are due in part to the borough council implementing a selective licensing regime.

This policy compels landlords to pay a £694 fee for a five-year permit to rent houses in four locations of Yarmouth. The money is used to fund inspections.

The impacted wards are Nelson Ward, Central and Northgate Ward, Southtown and Cobholm Ward, and eight streets in Yarmouth’s North Ward, totalling around 5,000 houses.

Great Yarmouth Town Hall. (Image: Denise Bradley)

One landlord told this publication that the modifications had forced them to sell their property, resulting in the eviction of a family that had lived there for 20 years.

Others stated that rents would rise to cover the additional costs created by the changes.

Some landlords have stated that the rent letters were issued to “raise awareness” of the situation, and that there are no urgent plans to raise rents.

However, others have stated that the additional costs will go ahead, with one warning that the rate will increase by 10% by April 2026.

Other reasons for the increases include new rules imposed under the Renters Rights Act and measures outlined by Rachel Reeves in the Autumn Budget.

More than 5,000 homes will be covered by the selective licensing scheme (Image: Great Yarmouth Council)

Yarmouth’s Conservative cabinet approved the policy, which mandates six-monthly inspections to target “unscrupulous landlords” who rent out a large number of properties in poor shape.

According to a survey, 21 percent of rental apartments in these wards pose major safety risks, and there are also issues with overcrowding. Paul Wells, cabinet member for licensing, defended the program.

He stated, “I have great compassion for landlords who are attempting to do the right thing and share their severe concerns about the Labour government’s plans.

“However, that is a distinct issue to that of selective licensing, which is a moderate and proportionate response to an extremely serious issue.”