Barking and Dagenham’s new additional landlord licensing scheme starting soon

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 - London Borough of Barking & Dagenham

A new borough wide additional licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) will launch across Barking and Dagenham in the new year following approval at the council’s Cabinet meeting.

During a consultation exercise held earlier in the year (read here), 55% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that all HMOs should be subject to property licensing, regardless of size. 

The new scheme will cover privately rented, smaller HMOs occupied by three or four people which currently fall outside the scope of mandatory HMO licensing. Under the scheme, landlords of smaller HMOs in Barking and Dagenham will need to ensure they are fully licensed and maintain safe, decent homes.

In a move that will be welcomed by some landlords, the council have decided to exclude so-called section 257 HMOs from the scheme. These are properties that have been converted into flats, less than two thirds of the flats are owner occupied and the conversion into flats does not comply with the relevant building regulations. 

The additional licensing scheme comes into force on 9 January 2025 and London Property Licensing understands licence applications will be accepted from 9 December 2024.

The council have said all properties requiring a licence will be inspected prior to the licence being issued, and fees will be automatically discounted for landlords demonstrating best practices:

• Silver Compliance Award: Satisfactory rating from compliance audit inspection (property meets the standards when inspected). Discount – £200 off the Part B fee for scheme running costs.

• Gold Compliance Award: Accredited landlord and satisfactory rating from compliance audit inspection. Discount – £250 off the Part B fee for scheme running costs.

The standard licence application fee before any discount will be £1,400.

Selective licensing scheme on the horizon

At the same Cabinet meeting, the council also approved in principle a new borough wide selective licensing scheme to replace the previous scheme that ended on 31 August 2024.

London Property Licensing understands an application has been made to the Secretary of State seeking government approval to implement this new scheme. Assuming permission is granted, a scheme designation will be made, giving at least three months notice of the start date.  

Councillor Syed Ghani, Barking & Dagenham’s Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: 

“I’m really pleased that the additional HMO licensing scheme has been approved, as this will provide reassurance and support for private tenants.

“This scheme will allow us to ensure that landlords are providing quality homes for their tenants and also give us the means to tackle rogue landlords.”

Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restriction in Barking & Dagenham is available here.

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