Lewisham’s selective licence scheme?

Lewisham’s selective licence scheme?

9:07 AM, 13th May 2024, About 7 months ago 37

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Hello, I understand why Lewisham want to clamp down on rogue landlords – but it is so unfair on those of us who aren’t. This is a sledgehammer/nut scenario.

And those of us who use a reputable agent, will have to pay twice to have our documentation checked, as the agent will want to do it too. And I can’t see the agents reducing their fees!

Why don’t they have a list of accredited agents and only a nominal fee if your property is managed and all your documentation comprehensively checked?

It starts in less than 2 months and you can’t even apply yet!

Also, how long does it last as it doesn’t say?

Surely it can’t can’t be for every new tenancy?

Thank you,

FBD


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Stella

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12:34 PM, 14th May 2024, About 7 months ago

Circa 2006 when SL was approved I attended a meeting where there were representatives from local councils and the government who were eager to assure us that there was nothing to fear from SL and that it would only be a "light touch" legislation and would only be approved for selective roads within an area.
The cynic in me did not believe them.
The Lewisham council scheme or the borough wide Newham council scheme and others were not envisaged.

Reluctant Landlord

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12:50 PM, 14th May 2024, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Nee Gill at 14/05/2024 - 11:07
tenant wont tell you anyway...because they can get a full rent repayment out of it too if you have let to them without a licence, so not in their benefit to tell the LL anything at all.

Fiona Dick

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15:41 PM, 15th May 2024, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 14/05/2024 - 12:50
As well as trying to make £ss are they just trying to catch landlords out? The irony, as with most other charges that have been shoved on the landlord, it will end up increasing rents anyway

Reluctant Landlord

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17:18 PM, 15th May 2024, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Fiona Dick at 15/05/2024 - 15:41of course they are! All part of the plan.
1. Don't actually inform you directly you need a licence, then FINE you if you don't have one. Kerching!
2. Once you have got a licence, harrang your tenant to let them in to check over the property. Inevitably they will find an issue ( looks good for stats and beefs up reason for having SL in the first place - just to show all LL are bad LL's). Also means possible prosecution and FINES. Kerching!
3. put leaflets through rental properties telling tenants to dob in the LL if they dont have a licence. When tenant calls to tell council, they then tell them they could get a rent repayment from the LL. Kerching!! Back to Point 2....Kerching!
You are a LL. You deserve to be fleeced by default of your existence and we will bleed you dry.

Fiona Dick

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19:36 PM, 15th May 2024, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Fiona Dick at 15/05/2024 - 15:41
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/property/good-landlords-sell-up-rogue-operators-continue-unabashed/

Black market rentals are thriving – thanks to the war on landlords
Good property investors have acted as sacrificial lambs for too long

Jimmy M

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12:57 PM, 20th May 2024, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Priten Patel at 13/05/2024 - 19:51
The selective licensing team on 02083146440 advised that the licence lasts for 5 years and doesn't need to be renewed for every tenancy - were you told that it needs to be renewed every year?
It doesn't say anywhere on Lewisham's selective licensing page how long the licence lasts. The most basic info and one of the first questions a LL would have surely?!

Fiona Dick

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13:41 PM, 20th May 2024, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Jimmy M at 20/05/2024 - 12:57
it's shocking how this is being rolled out. Many landlords won't even know about it. The website is very poor - like you say, it doesn't even say how long the licence is for! And you can't even apply yet - an utter shambles

Priten Patel

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14:50 PM, 20th May 2024, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Jimmy M at 20/05/2024 - 12:57
I was told when I called up, but then again I don’t think I had the key person behind the scheme on the other end, so my assumption is they got it wrong if it is indeed 5 yearly. Would be great if their website explained it. The whole thing just comes across as sneaky / underhanded.

Fiona Dick

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16:10 PM, 20th May 2024, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Priten Patel at 20/05/2024 - 14:50
The whole thing seems pretty underhand

Natty

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18:37 PM, 6th June 2024, About 7 months ago

It's a money making initiative and another cost landlords can do without in the current climate of rising costs. I only found out about it with the council tax bill I received as the property is now empty to be sold. I doubt my tenant would have passed this information on to me if still living there. Also they are putting you under the microscope and I wouldn't be surprised in years to come all rented properties would need to be upgraded to a C rating.

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