News
Have your say on plans for new property licensing schemes in Ealing
Ealing Council has launched a public consultation on plans for new property licensing schemes to make private renting in the borough safer and better.
Since 1 January 2017, the council has operated a borough wide additional licensing scheme plus a selective licensing scheme covering part of the borough.
The additional licensing scheme has extended licensing to all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) that are two or more storeys in height and occupied by four or more people, plus all HMOs in mixed commercial / residential buildings.
The selective licensing scheme includes all other private rented properties in the council wards of Acton Central, East Acton, South Acton, Southall Broadway and Southall Green.
The council say that these licensing schemes have been a success, delivering safer homes for tenants, more support for landlords, and a reduction in neighbourhood nuisance and anti-social behaviour.
With the existing schemes set to end on 31 December 2021, the council is examining the possibility of expanding the licensing schemes to better manage and regulate more rented properties.
The plans published by the council include:
- Renewing the existing borough-wide additional licensing scheme and expanding the licensing criteria to include most HMOs occupied by three or more people regardless of the number of storeys.
- Renewing and expanding the selective licensing scheme to cover all private rented properties in the 15 wards of the borough which have the highest number of homes in poor condition.
Licence conditions
Under the schemes, a licence holder would have to comply with licence conditions relating to the management and condition of the property, including gas, electrics and fire safety.
They would also have to provide a written tenancy agreement and actively manage any anti-social behaviour caused by their tenants.
The licences will last for five years, but a licence can be revoked if standards are not being met.
Tell the council what you think
Before any decisions are made, Ealing Council is running a public consultation which closes on Monday 2 August 2021.
Many people will be affected by the proposed changes, including tenants, landlords, letting and managing agents, and residents. The council wants to hear from everyone.
As well as filling in the council’s online survey, you can share your views with council officers by attending a live virtual public meeting. The meetings will take place from 7 – 8.30pm on the following dates:
- Wednesday, 9 June for tenants living in private rented properties.
- Wednesday, 16 June for landlords and managing and lettings agents.
- Wednesday, 23 June for all other residents and businesses.
The meetings will be run on the council’s behalf by HQN, an independent housing consultancy. To book your place at a meeting, or to ask any other questions about the council’s proposals, please contact HQN by emailing ealingmeetings@hqnetwork.co.uk or calling 01904 557197.
The number of places at each meeting is limited to ensure that everyone has a chance to ask questions and give their views, so if you’d like to attend, please get in touch now.
Councillor Joanna Camadoo-Rothwell, Ealing Council’s lead member for community safety and inclusion said:
“Property licensing is one of the best tools available to us to ensure safer and better conditions in private rented homes. Over the last five years, it has helped us to raise standards for tenants and provide better support for landlords, who play a vital role in the local housing market.
“Although the overwhelming majority of landlords and agents offer good quality housing for their tenants, a small but significant minority do not. The proposed expansion of licensing would help us to tackle problem landlords and push up standards in the borough’s rented homes. We encourage all residents to tell us their views on these plans.”
You can find out more information and take part in the consultation at www.ealing.gov.uk/PRSlicensingconsultation.
A free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning rules in the London Borough of Ealing is available here.
For all the latest news and events, you can sign up for the free London Property Licensing newsletter here.
