PEOPLE in rented property are being asked to voice their opinions on new council plans to take on landlords who ignore their responsibilities.

Slough Borough Council has announced drop in sessions that would enable officers and councillors to get residents’ and landlord's opinions on the plans while explaining the thinking behind them.

Across the borough 32.9 per cent of properties are owned by landlords in the private sector.

The updated council rules will affect many of the 3,500 homes in the town which are recognised as shared properties.

The rules have already been changed nationally to force all landlords of houses in multiple occupation with five or more people forming two households to have a license regardless of how many storeys the building has - previously there had to be three.

Slough Council proposes to introduce a tougher rule of its own requiring landlords to be licensed even if there are less than five people making up the two households.

The council also proposes to require all properties rented to single households in the Chalvey and Central wards to be licensed - as this area of Slough accounts for 20 per cent of all rented property in the borough. The council has concerns about levels of anti-social behaviour and overcrowding; with some properties failing to meet satisfactory levels of tenancy and property management.

It hopes to implement both schemes in the New Year.

Anyone wishing to discuss the matter further can attend one of the following sessions.

The first session is at Chalvey Community Centre at the Green from 12.30pm to 2.20pm and 6pm to 8pm on Thursday, January 10 .

There will be a session for residents from 2pm to 6pm at the Gallery, in the Curve, Slough, William Street on Tuesday, January 15 between 2pm and 6pm, and one for landlords at the same address on Thursday, January 17 between 2pm and 6pm.

Anyone who would like to share their views online can do so by completing the council’s online questionnaire. (LINK - https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/licensingconsultation)