Haringey council is the latest local authority in the capital to create a borough-wide additional licensing scheme for HMOs.

It claims the scheme “will improve housing standards and keep tenants safe, as well as ensuring effective and appropriate management of a property.”

As with other boroughs, the proposed Haringey scheme will require HMO landlords – those who rent to three or more people in two or more households – in the borough to licence their property with the council.

The council says it plans to license HMOs “to ensure that these properties in the private rental market meet legal standards, and are properly managed to protect the health, safety and welfare of people living in them.”

However, the council also admits that a further advantage of the scheme is that it will know which landlord is responsible for the management of rented properties, and who is responsible for dealing with any issues involving safety or environmental crime.

“The scheme will also enable the council to know who owns and manages these properties through issuing of licenses to operate” says a statement from the authority.

A spokeswoman says: “Many residents live in HMOs across Haringey, and the council is committed to doing what it can to ensure that every resident has access to good quality housing. This additional HMO licencing scheme will help ensure all HMOs in our borough are safe, well maintained and managed effectively.”

Landlords who apply before 26 May will pay a discounted fee of £500