Government backs Labour council’s ‘unique’ lice...

The government has agreed that a council in London where all 51 councillors are Labour should go ahead with a five year private rental licensing scheme.

The borough wide scheme - which is the only one of its kind that has been approved by the government - means that every single privately rented property in Barking and Dagenham will need to be licensed and comply with strict conditions.

The council currently has a private rented property and additional HMO licensing scheme which will end on August 31.

The government’s backing means it will be replaced by the borough wide, five year property licensing scheme which will start on September 1.

The new scheme will affect approximately 20,000 households in the borough.

The council says that over the last five years, private rented homes have been the fastest growing housing sector in Barking and Dagenham, making up 27 per cent of the borough’s housing and provide accommodation “to an increasing number of vulnerable individuals and families.”

It also claims its current licensing scheme, introduced five years ago, has prompted 70 prosecutions and the serving of 570 enforcement notices requiring properties to be made safe.

“We have also undertaken over 100 operations working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade to ensure properties are regulated and safe” says a statement from the authority.

A spokeswoman for the council says: “The scheme will help us to continue to weed out rogue landlords who put tenants at risk, and to crack down on crime, antisocial behaviour and overcrowding. We will also ensure that landlords deal with problems including rubbish in front gardens and noise which are often linked with over-crowded accommodation.”