An East Lancashire town is set to get selective landlord licensing for the first time to boost housing standards.

Burnley Council's executive has been recommended to introduce the scheme into Padiham when it meets on Wednesday night.

The senior councillors will debate a report on consultations on selective licensing in six areas.

The scheme requires all private landlords in the designated areas to have a licence from the local authority to let properties in the designated areas.

The aim is to tackle problems of poor quality housing, anti-social behaviour and low demand.

Landlords who fail to apply for a licence will be committing a criminal offence.

A report to the executive meeting proposes to renew selective landlord licensing in Burnley's Trinity, Queensgate, Gannow, and Daneshouse and Stoneyholme areas.

It recommends councillors extend the number of streets covered in the Trinity, Queensgate, and Gannow wards.

The report says Padiham should see the introduction of selective landlord licensing for the first time.

It asks the senior councillors to 'consider a new selective licensing designation for the Padiham area along with the staffing structure, fee structure, budget implications and licence conditions'.

The document by Ian Frankland says: "This report seeks the approval to submit an application to the Secretary of State for Housing for five proposed selective licensing designations in areas within Trinity, Queensgate, Gannow, Daneshouse and Stoneyholme and Padiham.

"The Trinity, Queensgate, Gannow and Daneshouse and Stoneyholme areas are subject to current selective licensing designations that come to an end in October 2024.

"The Padiham area has not previously been subject to selective licensing, however examination of the data suggests that there are areas of low demand, or areas that are at risk of suffering from low demand.

"The area has a high level of private rented property and is estimated to have higher than average levels of category one hazards.

"There also appears to be landlords operating in this area who are not compliant with energy efficiency regulations.

"Taken as a whole the evidence suggests the area could benefit from a selective licensing scheme.

"The council have consulted on a sixth proposed designation within the Lyndhurst Road area of Burnley.

"Following the consultation process and further review of the statistics, it is proposed not to continue with an application to designate this specific area.

"It is proposed the housing team monitor the Lyndhurst Road area over the next 24 months.

"In addition, the council operates two further licensing schemes in Burnley Wood with Healey Wood and the Leyland Road area, designated from 2022-2027."