TOUGH new powers are being used for the first time in Wales to stop part of Port Talbot from being turned into a trouble-plagued slum.

An area of Aberavon nicknamed White City is being used to pilot a new licensing scheme that will force landlords to register rented homes and bring them up to a minimum standard.

Called selective licensing, the scheme will cover just a dozen or so streets that have a disproportionately high level of anti-social behaviour, which in turn is linked to the area's large number of rented properties.

"I think it's an excellent scheme," said Aberavon councillor Anthony Taylor.

"We don't want bad landlords and if they do come in, this will give us the power to deal with them."

Aberavon is part of Port Talbot's housing renewal area, where millions of pounds has been invested improving not just private homes, but the environment generally. But the streets in question already suffer from high levels of anti-social behaviour and more than 40 per cent of the homes there are privately-rented.

To add to the problems, an increasing number of those rented properties are empty, suggesting the area is in decline, while several of them have been the subject of arson attacks.

Council head of change management and innovation Karen Jones said: "The introduction of selective licensing will support the work already undertaken in the area and regulate the management of private rented houses.

"The scheme aims to ensure landlords investing in the area are reputable and that they make adequate arrangements for the management of the tenancies and maintenance of their property, to protect tenants and community alike."

The council worked with the police and the Arson Reduction Team to protect empty homes from unauthorised entry, she said, while landlords would be encouraged to bring them back into occupation.

Neath Port Talbot is the first authority in Wales to introduce selective licensing, under the Housing Act 2004.

A new working group has been set up to support and co-ordinate allied initiatives by partner groups including the police, social services, the homelessness team and the anti-social behaviour unit.

"Both residents and landlords are in broad agreement that the area suffers from numerous issues relating to anti-social behaviour and poor property conditions associated with privately-rented housing," added Mrs Jones.

Councillors are expected to approve the scheme during a social care, health and housing cabinet board meeting on Friday.