HOUSING landlords clashed with a council over plans to introduce tougher controls in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour among tenants.

The East Lancashire Landlord Association criticised Burnley Council for "failing to consult" members before introducing plans for a 'Selective Licensing' scheme in parts of the Trinity area of Burnley.

Under the scheme an estimated 140 landlords will have to apply for licences, prove they are a fit, proper and the most appropriate person and ensure they have a fund to take care of neccesary repairs.

Trinity, where one home in three is privately rented, will be considered for the scheme because it suffers from low demand housing, people are choosing to leave and it has anti-social behaviour problems, a meeting of the council's executive board this week was told.

Vanessa Robinson, a letting agent and executive member of the association, said: "We need to be consulted on the whole concept of selective licensing and what has happened here is that the council have already targeted an area without consulting us first.

"How will they monitor the repairs fund and decide how much it will be?

"Another concern is that we are being made responsible for tenants' behaviour. The police can't control people.

"Teachers can't control pupils so how are we expected to control tenants' behaviour?"

The council has already introduced a voluntary landlord accreditation scheme.

Sarah Clayton, Burnley council's head of housing, said: "Burnley council has always stated that selective licensing is not a 'cure all' - it is just part of our protection package to form safer more stable communities in areas where the housing market has failed.

"We will work with good landlords and in fact we already do and have provided well-received training sessions.

"But we will not tolerate bad landlords. Landlords who don't care about the communities in which they work and allow the way they manage, or mismanage their business to impact on the quality of life of decent Burnley residents."

The Trinity Action Group, a residents' association, spoke in favour of the scheme at the meeting.

Councillors at the meeting approved the scheme and it will now go to full council for consideration.