London council seeks views on its proposed selective licensing scheme

London council seeks views on its proposed selective licensing scheme

0:05 AM, 30th October 2024, About 2 days ago 4

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A London council is seeking public opinion – including from affected landlords – on a proposal to introduce a new property licensing scheme for private rented homes across 15 wards in the borough.

The selective licensing scheme would cover all private rented properties, not just Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) which were already subject to licensing in 2021.

Westminster City Council says this expansion of the scheme will tackle issues like poor housing conditions and anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector (PRS).

Landlords provide homes that are safe

Councillor Matt Noble, the cabinet member for regeneration and renters, said: “We know that most landlords and agents operating in Westminster provide homes that are safe, of a high standard and managed well.

“When properties are not safe and well managed, the impact upon the lives of tenants and the wider community can be detrimental.

“Sometimes this is because landlords are not aware of their responsibilities and sometimes this is because criminal landlords knowingly flout housing laws.”

He added: “We want to ensure that all private rented properties are operating legally and, above all else, safe.

“Before any decisions are made, we need the views of everyone in the borough, especially those that live in a private rented home.”

Welcomes input from landlords and property agents

The consultation is open until January 19 2025, and the council says it welcomes input from residents, tenants, landlords and property agents – anyone with an interest in its PRS.

If approved, the licensing scheme could come into effect from spring 2026.

Landlords and residents can share their views on the Westminster City Council website.


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Thekla Ruppelt

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5:29 AM, 30th October 2024, About A day ago

Lewisham council has already implemented this scheme. I think the fee is is about £660 pounds just to provide all the certificates you need anyway. They are not giving any additional service. They could request all of these statements and I would submit them free of charge.

Markella Mikkelsen

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9:09 AM, 30th October 2024, About A day ago

I don't know why they bother with a consultation, frankly. They have already made up their minds to implement SL.
The SL fee is already in their budget. It's all a farce.
Maybe the one bright light of the RRB is that once the "National" Database of Landlords is up and running we can make the farce of SL obsolete.

Reluctant Landlord

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9:48 AM, 30th October 2024, About A day ago

Reply to the comment left by Markella Mikkelsen at 30/10/2024 - 09:09
Agree 100%. SL fee in their budget means its followed through in the rent increase to my tenants. Simples.

Any questions? Tenants are referred back to the Local Council for an explanation and given the specific email of their local councillor who voted in favour of it... .

GlanACC

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8:42 AM, 31st October 2024, About 4 hours ago

So basically they have already decided what they will do and are just performing 'lip service' to make it look legitimate.

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