A London borough could become the first local authority in the country where every single private landlord and rental property is licensed.
The council – which recently said it was considering buying up swathes of private rental property and becoming a landlord itself – has launched a consultation on compulsory borough-wide licensing.
The Government has made it clear that, whilst it does not back the idea of mandatory regulation of private landlords and agents, it is happy for local councils to use to the full the licensing powers that they have.
Inviting views, the council says: “Newham has a thriving private rented sector that provides affordable housing options for local people; but the Council is concerned about possible overcrowding and anti-social behaviour in some properties.
“Therefore, the Council is thinking of licensing private landlords and properties in the borough – in order to ensure that landlords, managing agents, tenants and owners operate legally and professionally.”
The consultation runs until December 4.
Newham estimates around one third of households in the borough are in the private rented sector, numbering around 35,000 homes. It has already piloted a smaller scale licensing scheme for over a year.
Sir Robin Wales, mayor of Newham, said: “We want to ensure that private sector rented properties are well managed and meet a good standard. We also want to deal with the crime and anti-social behaviour that is sometimes associated with bad private sector rented housing.
“There are good landlords in Newham and we want to work with them. Unfortunately there are also some unscrupulous ones – which these proposals would target.”
Housing charity Shelter welcomed the Newham move. Kay Boycott, director of communications, policy and campaigns, said: “We urge other local councils to follow Newham’s lead in sending a clear signal that enforcing the law against rogue landlords is a priority.”
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Comments
So if a tenant in a Newham owned property ends up in arrears will CAB and of course Newham's own waifs and strays department (Housing Needs) advise them to sit tight, not pay the rent if they can't and wait to be evicted.
So they are Statutory Homeless and Newham then has to give them social housing?!!!
My experience is that the bad tenants are more often than not in council property so their logic is about as good as a chocolate fire guard. What proof can they show that their proposal will do what they hope. No much I bet.
@Neil
"..The legislation only affects you if you have something to hide.."
A stock phrase of all control freaks - in a George Orwell world! t
I assume Letting Agent Today covers the whole of the UK and would therefore bring to Newham Council that they are not the first....Scotland has had in place for three years compulsary registration of all Landlords Properties and Letting Agents. It has had no effect on my business or my Landords other than a 3 year renewable fee. The legislation only affects you if you hsave something to hide.
I meant "expressed" not "exposed". I'm now worried about what was going in in my subconsciousness.
Agree with the sentiments exposed so far.
It's one of those ideas which sounds great and makes a wonderful headline - "Local council cracks down on rogue landlords". What's not to like about that?
The trouble is, it will just lead to another layer of bureaucracy for those who do things properly, whilst the rogues will ignore it - where the heck will the council find the resources to effectively police it?
“There are good landlords in Newham and we want to work with them. Unfortunately there are also some unscrupulous ones - which these proposals would target.”
What a ridiculous statement to make! How is licensing ALL private rented properties going to TARGET a small number of unscrupulous landlords?
I wonder whether the Council in "buying up swathes of private rental property and becoming a landlord itself" will be immune from the hassle and cost of licensing itself and all their rented properties ... hmmm?
Yet another fantastic reason for landlords to remain underground.
"......Housing charity Shelter welcomed the Newham move. Kay Boycott, director of communications, policy and campaigns, said: “We urge other local councils to follow Newham’s lead in sending a clear signal that enforcing the law against rogue landlords is a priority....”
Really! Just when have local councils, by 'licensing' done anything to ENFORCE the law? All they do is increase costs for everyone. Many laws are in existence already- they are not enforced.
Just when will Government and Local Authorities stop interferring in our normal lives with ever more rules & regulations. We need a new really democratic politcal party.