The government has backed a scheme to license private landlords in large parts of Accrington and Church.

The legislation, which will get underway on October 1, will cover 900 households and cost an estimated £122,000 per year, with landlords paying £100 a year to cover clerical costs.

The powers will give the council more teeth to deal with absent landlords and nuisance tenants, and will compliment the phased regeneration of housing market renewal areas.

Deputy leader Councillor Brian Roberts said: "The scheme would make landlords more responsible as they must sign up to it and stick to certain rules and regulations about how they manage the property including amongst others, having to present valid gas certificates to the council on an annual basis."

Selective licensing can be used in areas blighted by low demand and/or excessive anti-social behaviour by private tenants.

The first stage of the scheme was discussed by Hyndburn Council’s Cabinet back in March 2008 when Central, Church, Peel and Barnfield were found to be the worst affected wards.

Peel ward councillor Graham Jones said the campaign was a triumph for east Accrington residents, following a long campaign for landlord licensing.

He said: "Working with Accent housing, 10,000 residents were sent a questionnaire and from grants provided by Elevate Accent prepared a policy document for the council."

Councillor Jones claimed that delays in the scheme had been caused by the Government Office for the North West.

He added: "Too many private landlords have wrecked our communities and it’s about time they were held to account - I am delighted with this decision after four years of hard work."

The licence requires five mandatory conditions, including the need for tenants to provide references and provisions relating to furniture and smoke alarms, plus an additional 12 council conditions.

They will be banned from allowing rubbish to build up at properties and poor quality homes could even be demolished.

Independent councillor Malcolm Pritchard, who represents Milnshaw, said: "This scheme could really help in some of the more deprived areas of the borough."

Tariq Ali, who is chair of West Accrington Residents’ Association (WARA) and owns 40 properties in the Central ward, said that the scheme was ‘win win’ all round.

He said: "For landlords it’s a case of get your act together or get out. Considering they’re spending millions on Elevate it would be wrong to let bad landlords and their tenants spoil the good work. It’s vital for an area to bring its standards of living up for landlords to be told to renovate and get the properties up to a decent standard."

He added: "We’re moving in the right direction now and I have to congratulate the council leader and chief executive.

"Everybody has had a slice of the money and a facelift of the area is being carried out."

Long-time campaigner for landlord licensing Bernard Sullivan, of Monk Street, said: "I know all the people from the different residents’ groups in west Accrington, Milnshaw and Church that are interested in this.

" I think when it comes from the grass roots they should look into these things and if they get fruit from it then it’s worthwhile. It’s good to see we haven’t wasted our time."