Brent is the latest council to consider a licensing regime for landlords - and it has recruited Shelter to promote its case.
The north London council considers the idea next Tuesday. If agreed, from next January landlords would have to pay £350 to sign up to a compulsory five-year licensing scheme before they can rent out their properties; this is expected to apply to landlords operating in the Harlesden, Willesden Green and Wembley Central wards.
As with other councils that have advocated or introduced such schemes, the main argument is that licensing would improve conditions for tenants, alleviate overcrowding and help neighbours who, in Brent, have complained about allegedly anti-social activity connected with some privately-rented properties.
Shelter's director of communications and campaigns has spoken out in favour of the idea, saying: With a third of privately rented properties failing to meet the government's own standards for decent homes, it's really good to see that Brent Council is looking at ways to make living conditions better for the thousands of private renters across Brent.
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