Author: LPL Admin
National Landlord Investment Show – 30 October 2024
Date: Wednesday 30 October, 8.30am – 5pm Venue: 1 Old Billingsgate Walk, London EC3R 6DX Cost: Free About: Visit the National Landlord Investment Show and get unparalleled advice, meeting leading suppliers, networking and sharing knowledge with your peers. Entry is free, all you have to do is register. More information […]
read moreProperty Investor Show – 4 & 5 October 2024
Date: Friday 4 & Saturday 5 October, 10am to 6pm (5pm close on Saturday) Venue: Excel, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL Cost: Free About: The UK’s leading event property expo is the premier exhibition for anyone looking to make money from property investment – in the short or long term. Better still, […]
read moreWandsworth Additional and Selective Licensing Consultation Event – 18 September 2024
Date: Wednesday 18 September 2024, 6.30pm to 8.30pm About: Wandsworth Council has launched a consultation on plans to implement two new property licensing schemes. In Wandsworth, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) need to be licensed if they are occupied by five or more people and fall within the mandatory HMO […]
read moreWandsworth Additional and Selective Licensing Consultation Event – 10 September 2024
Date: Tuesday 10 September 2024, 6.30pm to 8.30pm About: Wandsworth Council has launched a consultation on plans to implement two new property licensing schemes. In Wandsworth, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) need to be licensed if they are occupied by five or more people and fall within the mandatory HMO […]
read moreMerton Council seize control of eighteen private rented homes following landlord’s failure to get them licensed
A private landlord who persistently failed to license their rented properties has had eighteen properties seized by Merton Council. Merton Council told London Property Licensing that the properties seized include Houses in Multiple Occupation and single family lets. Council officers had inspected the properties following complaints from the tenants, including concerns about […]
read moreLambeth Selective Licensing Scheme starts on 2 September 2024
Date: Monday 2 September 2024 About: A new selective licensing scheme comes into force in the London Borough of Lambeth on 2 September 2024. The borough can promote their licensing scheme here to help landlords and letting agents understand more about their scheme and how to apply. Meanwhile, our free […]
read moreBarking & Dagenham Council’s selective licensing scheme has ended
The selective landlord licensing scheme implemented in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham has ended after five years. In a notice displayed on the council’s website, it explains the selective licensing scheme ended on 31 August 2024 and that there is currently no requirement to license any private rented […]
read moreNew landlord licensing scheme being launched in Lambeth and new HMO planning restrictions coming soon
Lambeth Council have introduced a new selective licensing scheme that comes into force on 2 September 2024. The new selective licensing scheme covering the four council wards of Knights Hill, Streatham Common & Vale, Streatham Hill East and Streatham St Leonards will remain in force for 5 years. The scheme […]
read moreLondon Borough continued to process landlord licence applications after both licensing schemes had ended
An investigation by London Property Licensing can reveal a local authority continued processing additional and selective landlord licence applications months after their licensing schemes ended. Under Parts 2 and 3 of the Housing Act 2004, local authorities can implement additional and selective licensing schemes for certain private rented homes. These licensing arrangements have […]
read moreHow does HMO licensing apply to purpose-built student accommodation providers?
A recent rent repayment order (“RRO”) tribunal case has again highlighted the importance of purpose-built student accommodation (“PBSA”) providers being aware of their obligations in respect of licensing houses in multiple occupation (“HMOs”). In the decision of LDC (Ferry Lane) GP3 Ltd v Garro & Ors, the Upper Tribunal dismissed the PBSA […]
read moreAdditional 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 […]
read moreWandsworth Additional and Selective Licensing Consultation – 22 July to 14 October 2024
Date: Monday 22 July to Monday 14 October 2024 About: Wandsworth Council has launched a consultation on plans to implement two new property licensing schemes. In Wandsworth, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) need to be licensed if they are occupied by five or more people and fall within the mandatory HMO […]
read moreEnfield Council launch public consultation on new additional landlord licensing scheme
Enfield Council has launched a public consultation on proposals to renew their property licensing scheme for small, shared Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The council want to hear the views and feedback of residents, tenants, landlords, business owners and anyone else who has an interest in the private rented sector […]
read morePressure is on for landlords to get licensed in Brent
Time is running out for landlords and agents letting out properties in Brent to get licensed. Those who don’t will soon face hefty fines or prosecution. Brent Council is actively enforcing the licensing scheme and searching for unlicensed landlords. Borough-wide licensing in Brent has been the law since April 2024. […]
read moreEnfield Additional Licensing Consultation – 15 July to 7 October 2024
Date: Monday 15 July to Monday 7 October 2024 About: Enfield Council has launched a consultation on plans to implement a replacement additional licensing scheme. In Enfield, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) need to be licensed if they are occupied by five or more people and fall within the mandatory […]
read moreWhere next for regulation of the private rented sector?
With the general election now behind us, we have a new Labour government with a significant parliamentary majority and a strong mandate for change. Within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (the department has reverted to its old name), the Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP has been appointed […]
read moreLewisham Selective Licensing Scheme started on 1 July 2024
Date: Monday 1 July 2024 About: A new selective licensing scheme came into force in the London Borough of Lewisham on 1 July 2024. The new selective licensing scheme covers sixteen council wards (based on the pre-May 2022 ward boundaries): Within these areas, a licence application must be submitted for all […]
read moreHaringey Council cracking down on rogue landlords and agents with another £41,000 civil financial penalties imposed
Haringey Council is cracking down on rogue landlords and agents with another £41,000 civil financial penalties imposed following two recent investigations. Failure to comply with Housing Improvement Notices The owners of a large House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Haringey have been fined £13,500 after failing to resolve multiple hazards […]
read moreBefore imposing a financial penalty or pursuing a banning order against a private landlord, the local authority must serve a valid notice of intent
The precision and clarity of notices of intent (NOIs) served by local authorities is crucial, especially since some defects in the notices can invalidate them while others don’t, leaving landlords uncertain. Contrasting outcomes in two recent cases discussed below demonstrates that if the council wants to punish you for breaches […]
read moreHaringey Additional Licensing Scheme started on 17 June 2024
Date: Monday 17 June 2024 About: A new additional licensing came into force in the London Borough of Haringey on 17 June 2024. The borough can promote their licensing scheme here to help landlords and letting agents understand more about their scheme and how to apply. Meanwhile, our free guide […]
read moreHaringey couple hit with £10,000 penalty for operating an unlicensed HMO
A couple who are portfolio landlords in Haringey have been ordered to pay £10,000 after failing to license their property. An inspection found the property, which was originally a family home, was occupied by seven different households, accommodating nine tenants across three storeys. Properties occupied by five or more people […]
read moreNew landlord licensing scheme being launched in Lewisham
From 1 July 2024, most privately rented properties in Lewisham will need a property licence. With 1 in 4 households in Lewisham renting privately, the new selective licensing scheme will help the Council ensure landlords are providing safe and decent quality homes and fair treatment for renters. The new scheme will […]
read moreIslington Council’s new selective licensing scheme covers 5,000 private rented homes
Over 5,000 privately rented homes in Islington must be licensed to ensure tenants have good quality housing – or their landlords will face prosecution. All private landlords in Finsbury Park, Tollington and Hillrise council wards, where there are particular problems with poor conditions, must apply to get their properties licensed […]
read moreIslington Selective Licensing Scheme started on 20 May 2024
Date: Monday 20 May 2024 A new selective licensing scheme came into force in the London Borough of Islington on 20 May 2024. The new selective licensing scheme covers the three council wards of: Within this area, a licence application must be submitted for all private rented properties occupied by […]
read moreSuspended prison sentence for fraudulent letting agent operating in East London
Two people who traded fraudulently through their business and scammed victims out of over £24,000 were sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday 3 May. After a lengthy and protracted investigation into the activities of several letting agencies, the two defendants Sultana Akther of Spencer Road, Rainham and Skeena Noor Rashid […]
read moreIncorrect use of license agreements by Greenwich landlord leads to criminal prosecution
A landlord who was not following correct tenancy management arrangements has been prosecuted and ordered to pay almost £6,000. The Royal Borough of Greenwich successfully prosecuted Mrs Anna Yang, an Essex based landlord. Mrs Yang provided the tenants of her apartment in Charlton, SE London, with misleading licence agreements which […]
read moreHouse illegally converted into flats for the second time costs owner nearly £80,000
A landlady who illegally converted her property into two separate flats and continued to ignore planning enforcement notices issued by Barking and Dagenham Council has been found guilty in court. In 2015 Planning Enforcement Officers from the east London council became aware that a five-bedroom property in Fanshawe Crescent, Dagenham […]
read moreEnfield Council cracking down on property licensing and planning infringements
Two property agents who failed to get their rented properties licensed have been prosecuted by Enfield Council. Guaranteed rent company prosecuted for licensing offence In the first case, Mansur Duzgan, sole director of Guaranteed Rent GD Limited, together with his company have both been prosecuted after failing to obtain a […]
read moreNew selective licensing scheme underway in Redbridge
A new selective landlord licensing scheme came into force in the London Borough of Redbridge today (8 April 2024). The new scheme (designation 4) extends licensing to all private rented properties occupied by a single household or two unrelated sharers in the fifteen council wards of: There was already a […]
read moreGovernment promise review of local authority property licensing schemes
In a letter that was leaked to the media, Jacob Young MP, Minister for Levelling Up has written to all Conservative MPs setting out a range of proposals to ensure the Renters Reform Bill strikes the right balance between delivering security for tenants and fairness for landlords. In the letter, […]
read moreNew property licensing schemes introduced in Brent and Tower Hamlets
New property licensing schemes came into force in the London Boroughs of Brent and Tower Hamlets on 1 April 2024. New selective licensing scheme in Brent A large new selective licensing scheme came into force in the London Borough of Brent on 1 April 2024. Within Brent, it was already […]
read moreCamden Council secures record fine for illegal flat conversion
Camden Council has successfully prosecuted two landlords who failed to comply with a planning enforcement notice issued against substandard flats in 2010. Following an investigation by the Council’s Planning Department between 2009 and 2010, a planning enforcement notice was served on 6 October 2010 and required compliance by 17 May […]
read moreProperty developer ordered to pay over £200,000 for illegal flat conversion in Haringey
A property developer and landlord who illegally converted a Bounds Green property into six flats has been ordered to pay more than £220,000 after Haringey Council successfully prosecuted the company. A previous unlawful change of use into five flats led to Pathfield Estates Ltd being ordered to return the property […]
read moreHarlesden landlord hit with fines and costs totalling £9,000 for putting safety of tenant at risk
A private landlord has been slammed with £9,000 in fines and costs for ignoring notices served by Brent Council to improve his property. Following reports of disrepair from a tenant of the flat in Harlesden, the council inspected the property and uncovered a range of hazards, including ventilation issues and […]
read moreBarking and Dagenham Council has launched a property licensing consultation
Barking & Dagenham Council in east London is inviting residents and private landlords to have their say on the future of property licensing schemes in the borough with the aim of improving the quality of private rented homes. Barking and Dagenham Council’s existing selective licensing scheme has been operating since 2015. Throughout […]
read moreProperty developer who illegally converted Ealing property into flats receives confiscation order exceeding one million pounds
A property developer has been hit with a £1.44million penalty under the Proceeds of Crime Act after he continually broke planning rules and then refused to follow legal orders. Ali Bahbahani, of no fixed address, has been ordered to pay £1,283,444 for converting a home to create flats, including an extension, in […]
read moreWaltham Forest Council are consulting on plans to renew their additional and selective landlord licensing schemes
Waltham Forest Council currently operates two property licensing schemes. The selective licensing scheme is due to end in April 2025 and the additional HMO licensing scheme is due to end in March 2025. With the licensing schemes due to end soon, the council are consulting on proposals to renew both […]
read moreGovernment U-turn on HMO licensing exemption for properties housing asylum seekers
In a significant development, the government have withdrawn draft regulations that would have exempted properties occupied by asylum seekers from the House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing regime. A Judicial Review challenging the lawfulness of the draft Houses in Multiple Occupation (Asylum-Seeker) Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 was due to take […]
read moreUpper Tribunal ruling explores adequacy of reasons for serving landlord civil penalty notices
The Upper Tribunal has provided guidance and advice on the vexed question of how local authorities should comply with their duty to provide reasons when issuing civil penalty notices (“CPNs”) that allege the commission of housing offences [Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council v Wang [2024] UKUT 24 (LC)]. Under s.249A of […]
read moreBexley Council are consulting on plans for a new selective landlord licensing scheme
Bexley Council are inviting residents to have their say about a proposed new selective licensing scheme for private rented properties. In 2018, Bexley Council introduced a selective licensing scheme that extended licensing to all private rented properties in Thamesmead North, Abbey Wood / Lower Belvedere and parts of Erith. That licensing scheme continued […]
read moreNewham Council’s first landlord banning order upheld by Upper Tribunal after landlord’s appeal rejected
Newham Council has won a landmark case against a convicted rogue landlord whose appeal against a Banning Order has been dismissed. The ban means that he is banned from renting out any properties in Newham and the rest of England for three years. Convicted of seven offences under the Housing […]
read moreConfusion hits Southwark Council’s selective licence application system 24 hours before early bird fee discount ends
Landlords racing to complete selective licence applications before the selective licence early bird discount ends on 31 January 2024 are experiencing some issues in Southwark. Twenty four hours before the application deadline, the council have altered how landlords can access the online application system. Whereas the council’s website directs people […]
read moreTower Hamlet Council’s additional licensing scheme being expanded on 1 April 2024
A new additional licensing scheme comes into force in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets on 1 April 2024. The council’s current additional licensing scheme started on 1 April 2019 and continues for five years until 31 March 2024. Additional licensing expanding into the west of the borough The current […]
read moreGreenwich Council’s new additional licensing scheme starts on 1 January 2024
A borough wide additional licensing scheme covering all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) comes into force in the Royal Borough of Greenwich on 1 January 2024. The council’s previous additional licensing scheme ended on 30 September 2022. A public consultation on plans for a replacement scheme took place from 13 […]
read moreFinancial penalties for Haringey landlords who ignored HMO licensing requirements
A private landlord in Tottenham has been ordered to refund 12 months’ rent to tenants after failing to license their House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). The landlord had ignored an initial warning to get their property licensed. They were ordered to pay a rent repayment order of £20,000 plus a […]
read moreGovernment approves major new landlord licensing scheme in Brent
All landlords renting out properties in Brent will soon be legally required to have a selective licence, except in the council ward of Wembley Park. Brent Council already operates borough wide mandatory HMO and additional licensing schemes together with a selective licensing scheme in the council wards of Dollis Hill, Willesden […]
read moreLambeth Council are consulting on plans for selective licensing across most of the borough
Lambeth is inviting residents to have their say about their proposals to introduce a new selective licensing scheme for private rented property across parts of the borough. The council is upholding its commitment to deliver better standards for private renters, with the launch of a consultation on the proposed selective licensing […]
read moreAdditional licensing consultation underway in Haringey
Residents across Haringey are invited to give their thoughts on a new proposed additional HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) licensing scheme which will support measures to improve the private rented sector. Haringey Council have taken a robust approach by using enforcement powers against landlords who have failed to license under […]
read moreApply now for 30% discount on Southwark Council’s selective licensing fees!
Landlords and agents can get a 30% discount on Southwark Council’s selective licensing fees for a new scheme that started on 1 November 2023. The scheme applies to all private rented properties occupied by a single household or two unrelated people in the council wards of North Walworth, Nunhead & […]
read moreHackney Council’s additional and selective licensing scheme have ended
The additional and selective landlord licensing schemes implemented in Hackney have ended after five years. The council had operated a borough wide additional licensing scheme, combined with a selective licensing scheme covering the council wards of Brownswood, Cazenove and Stoke Newington. In a somewhat chaotic end to the licensing schemes, […]
read moreCan landlords return a tenancy deposit by cheque?
There are various reasons why a landlord of residential property might want to give a tenancy deposit back to the tenant. If the landlord wants the tenant to move out, early return of the deposit will help the tenant with getting together cash needed to secure new accommodation. Sometimes it […]
read moreLondon landlord: share your views on challenges facing the private rented sector
Propertymark is working with the University of Dundee to understand more about the plans landlords in London have to retain their property investments, increase investment or withdraw from the sector and why. With changes over the past few years, including the Tenant Fees Act, Section 24 tax rules, minimum energy […]
read moreAppeals against the imposition of financial penalties under Housing Act 2004: extensions of time when appeals are submitted late
The Upper Tribunal (“UT”) has allowed an appeal brought by a landlord against a decision of the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) (“FTT”) that had refused him an extension of time in which to bring a challenge against a council’s imposition of a £13,250 penalty. In Kazi v. Bradford MDC [2023] […]
read moreExcessive and unjust – Upper Tribunal decision on council’s civil financial penalty policy
This landmark judgement by the Upper Tribunal brings further clarity to how civil financial penalties for HMO licensing offences should be calculated. In March 2022, Leicester City Council imposed a civil financial penalty of £29,817 under section 72(1) of the Housing Act 2004. It was a two storey property containing […]
read moreSpotlight on Haringey Council’s Additional Licensing Scheme
As part of the National Residential Landlord Association’s (NRLA) local government campaigning, a series of audits are being carried out on active discretionary licensing schemes to ensure complete transparency and accountability. The aim of these audits is to assess whether discretionary licensing is an appropriate action to take compared with […]
read moreRent Repayment Orders: why a landlord’s excuse must remain reasonable for the duration of the offence
The Upper Tribunal has imposed a rent repayment order on a landlord despite accepting that he was told by the council that he did not need a licence and that he would later be invited to apply for a licence. The case of Marigold and Ors v Wells [2023] UKUT […]
read moreShock as Bromley Councillors approve HMO planning restrictions against planning officer advice
Enquiries by London Property Licensing have uncovered new House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) planning restrictions in the London Borough of Bromley. Whilst the planning restrictions were introduced on 1 September 2021, no press release has yet been issued announcing the changes. HMO Evidence Base presented to Councillors On 20 May […]
read moreTower Hamlets Council vary their selective licensing scheme designation
In May 2021, London Property Licensing reported that a replacement selective licensing scheme had been approved covering the west side of Tower Hamlets. The scheme will come into force on 1 October 2021 to coincide with the ending of the current scheme (read here). Exemption for certain student accommodation blocks […]
read moreTower Hamlets Council approve new selective licensing scheme with an unusual exemption for some student accommodation
At a Cabinet meeting on 28 April 2021, Tower Hamlets Council approved plans for a replacement selective licensing scheme in the west of the borough. A selective licensing scheme was previously implemented on 1 October 2016 and continues until 30 September 2021. The current scheme extends licensing to all private […]
read moreCan Selective Licence conditions require a landlord to attend a training course?
In March this year the Upper Tribunal considered an appeal brought by a landlord who objected to a condition in a selective licence. The landlord, Mr Berg, argued that Burnley Borough Council had no power to impose a requirement for him to attend training courses under the conditions of a […]
read moreSelective licensing and licence conditions – the Court of Appeal gives a narrow interpretation to local authority powers
The Court of Appeal has recently given guidance about the scope of local authorities’ powers to insert conditions into licences granted under the the selective licensing regime (Part 3, Housing Act 2004 – houses let as separate dwellings). In the Brown v Hyndburn Borough Council case, the local authority had […]
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