Applications are now open for Barking and Dagenham’s new Selective Licensing Scheme which will protect tenants, and make sure everyone can live in safe and well managed homes.
Landlords and property managing agents, who let properties in Barking and Dagenham, must apply for a new Selective Licence.
The new scheme, which comes into force on 1 September, replaces the current Licensing Schemes which will end on 31 August 2019.
Landlords and letting agents should apply for a licence before 31 August 2019 - the licence will be valid for five years. Even if landlords have a licence under the old scheme, they must apply for a new one under the new scheme.
Landlords that currently hold a Mandatory HMO (Houses in multiple occupation) Licence do not need to reapply for a licence, until their current licence expires.
The new Selective Licensing Scheme is the only borough-wide scheme that has been approved by the Government, and means every privately rented property in Barking and Dagenham will need to be licensed and comply with strict conditions to ensure each property is safe and properly managed.
We’re absolutely determined to protect our tenants, making sure they live in safe homes that are in good condition and well managed.
The new scheme means approximately 20,000 households in the borough who rely on the initiative to protect them from rogue landlords in the private rental sector will be able to rent, knowing that their properties have satisfied laid down conditions, and are safe to live in.
Over the last five years, private rented homes have been the fastest growing housing provision in the borough. They make up 27 per cent of the borough’s housing and provide accommodation to an increasing number of vulnerable individuals and families.
Since their introduction five years ago, the licensing schemes have helped to ensure that privately rented homes are safe and in good condition for renters. They have also helped to reduce antisocial behaviour and enabled the council to stamp out criminal activity among rogue landlords.
The schemes have helped the council to instigate 70 prosecutions, and serve 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.
We will support landlords to provide decent and safe homes to rent and we will also weed out rogue landlords who put tenants at risk and who tarnish the reputation of good landlords.
Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “We’re absolutely determined to protect our tenants, making sure they live in safe homes that are in good condition and well managed. Landlords and letting agents must now apply for the new Selective Licensing Scheme, which will continue to improve standards in the private rented sector.
“The new Selective License Scheme applies to the whole of the borough and is the first of this kind to be given government approval anywhere in the country. We will support landlords to provide decent and safe homes to rent and we will also weed out rogue landlords who put tenants at risk and who tarnish the reputation of good landlords.
“The new scheme will help us to crack down on crime, antisocial behaviour and overcrowding and help us to make sure all landlords deal with problems including rubbish in front gardens and noise which are often linked with over-crowded accommodation.
“Everyone deserves a decent and safe home and we will continue to drive up standards in Barking and Dagenham to protect our residents, ensuring that no one is left behind - and we will use all the powers available to us to come down hard on those landlords who feel they can put profit before people.”