Private landlords in Brent will be forced to pay £350 to subscribe to a compulsory five-year licensing scheme after the local authority rejected opponents' arguments.
The council insists its plans are aimed at clamping down on rogue landlords who allow their tenants to live in insanitary and overcrowded conditions.
Under the proposals, all private landlords in three specific wards of the council's patch must be licensed before letting out their homes.
The council says it will also provide support to neighbours concerned about fly-tipping and other anti-social behaviour from some privately-rented homes.
A council spokeswoman says: We want to create a minimum standard for landlords and properties to ensure that residents can expect a good standard of housing. It has been successful in other areas of London and it will tackle the minority of private landlords who give their tenants a raw deal and also help stamp out anti-social behaviour by tenants.
Having already consulted on the principle of the licensing scheme, the council is now undertaking further consultation on whether any discounts should be allowed.
As it stands now, the £350 scheme will come into effect on January 1 2015 and will be reviewed annually. Landlords will be able to apply for licenses from November 1.
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