News
Government have approved Newham’s selective landlord licensing scheme for an unprecedented third 5-year term
Newham Council’s selective landlord licensing scheme has been approved by the Secretary of State for Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities for an unprecedented third 5-year term.
Newham Council consulted on plans to renew their additional and selective licensing schemes from 9 November 2021 to 26 January 2022. The council received 1,104 responses to the online and telephone surveys, held seven focus groups with residents and landlords, agents and renters’ rights organisations and also received written submissions from various organisations. Overall 72% overall agreed with the proposed additional licensing scheme and 64% for the selective licensing scheme.
Additional licensing scheme
The council’s previous additional licensing scheme started on 1 January 2018 and ended on 31 December 2022. A replacement additional licensing scheme came into force on 1 January 2023 and continues for another five years.
Whereas the previous scheme applied borough wide except for the E20 postcode, the new scheme applies borough wide except for the council wards of Royal Victoria and Stratford Olympic Park.
Selective licensing scheme
The council’s current selective licensing scheme that started on 1 March 2018 will come to an end on 28 February 2023.
A replacement selective licensing scheme comes into force on 1 June 2023 and will continue for another five years. The new scheme also applies borough wide except for the council wards of Royal Victoria and Stratford Olympic Park.
All private rented homes in the designated area will need to be licensed unless they are already licensable under the mandatory HMO or additional licensing scheme. This includes properties occupied by a single household or two sharers.
The intention of the scheme is to tackle poor property conditions, high levels of deprivation and antisocial behaviour. Protecting private renters and ensuring they live in safe and warm homes is a key component of the scheme and the Council demands that landlords take maximum responsibility for maintaining effective and appropriate management of their properties. Those who fail to comply will face enforcement action. The scheme allows Newham Council to make sure licensed rented homes meet certain conditions, that they are safe, well managed and that the landlord is a ‘fit and proper person.’
The Council have said they will contact all current licence holders to let them know when they will start to accept early applications to take advantage of any fee discounts on offer.
Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz said:
“I’m delighted that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities has granted Newham Council an unprecedented third 5-year term. It’s a testament to our commitment to always champion the interests of our residents and renters rights. No residents in Newham should live in substandard properties managed by unscrupulous landlords“.
Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning rules in the London Borough of Newham is available here.
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