News
Additional and selective licensing consultation underway in Wandsworth
With the private rented sector in Wandsworth now making up 36% of the boroughs housing market, Wandsworth Council is consulting on plans to implement new additional and selective licensing schemes.
The Council say this will help to improve the quality of private rented homes and create a fairer environment for both tenants and responsible landlords.
According to the Council they received over 4,000 service requests from private tenants between 2017 and 2023. In 2022/23, enforcement interventions by council officers resulted in 171 preliminary improvement notices, 95 formal notices and 9 fixed penalty notices served, leading to hazards in 191 properties being resolved.
The Council is consulting on two schemes, that if approved, would apply to many private rented homes across the borough.
Additional licensing
The proposed additional HMO licensing scheme would apply to small shared houses that are occupied by three or more residents from two or more households who share a kitchen and/or bathroom, and are not covered by the existing national mandatory HMO licensing scheme.
In Wandsworth, 783 larger houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) have already been licensed under the existing mandatory HMO licensing scheme which has been in operation since 2006.
Selective licensing
The proposed selective licensing scheme would apply to all other private rented homes occupied by a single family or two unrelated sharers. The intention is to roll out selective licensing in two phases covering seven council wards.
Both schemes will require landlords to meet certain standards with regards to the safety and condition of the property, helping the Council to clamp down on rogue landlords and ensuring better quality homes in the private sector.
Wandsworth Council is inviting tenants, landlords, property agents and anyone with an interest in the private rented sector to have their say on proposals to introduce these new property licensing schemes.
Feedback and opinions are being sought far and wide, from as many people and organisations as possible who have an interest or personal experiences on the private rented sector in Wandsworth.
The Council say they are committed to their ambition for Wandsworth to be a fairer, more compassionate and sustainable borough, underpinned by the Council’s vision of creating a fairer private rented sector, by driving up standards for private renters.
Aydin Dikerdem, Wandsworth’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
“Wandsworth has one of the highest number of private renters in the country, with over a third of our borough renting privately off of a landlord. While many do so without issue, sadly our officers continue to receive complaints from tenants found to be living in substandard and at times dangerous accommodation, with tenants often unsure of where to turn. Some of these are our most vulnerable residents. Our proposals will help us to target rogue operators and those letting unsuitable properties, driving up standards to the benefit of all.
“We are committed to continuing to work positively with responsible landlords, educating those that may not be aware of their responsibilities and driving out the minority who knowingly disregard housing laws.
“Wandsworth is one of the most popular places to live in London and we are proud of that. We want to introduce property licensing to drive up the standard of properties and the communities in which they are located, no matter the type of housing. That’s why we want to ensure that as many people as possible have the chance to take part in our consultation, share their views and comment on our proposals. All views are important and can make a real difference to our plans.”
The licensing consultation runs until Monday 14 October 2024, and everyone can share their views by visiting www.wandsworth.gov.uk/prs.
Paper copies of the survey can be requested by emailing consult@wandsworth.gov.uk or calling 0208 454 3025. Subject to scheme approval once the consultation process is complete, Wandsworth Council expect implementation to start in Spring 2025.
Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restrictions in the London Borough of Wandsworth is available here.
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