Selective licensing scheme

Barking and Dagenham Council to introduce new Selective Licensing Scheme to improve private housing standards

Barking and Dagenham Council will be introducing a new Selective Licensing Scheme to improve the management and quality of private rental homes across the borough.

The scheme will begin on 6 April 2025 and will replace the previous initiative, which ended in the Summer of last year, and cover most of the borough’s privately rented properties.

This decision follows a significant change in legislation announced in the English Devolution White Paper, which empowers councils to implement larger licensing schemes without seeking government approval. Previously, the council had been awaiting the Secretary of State’s authorisation for the proposed scheme, covering more than 20% of the borough. However, the new general approval, which came into effect on 23 December 2024, allows councils to introduce schemes of any size independently.

This means that from Spring, all landlords in Barking and Dagenham must obtain a licence to rent out their properties, ensuring homes are safe and well-maintained.

The Private Rented Sector (PRS) is now the fastest-growing housing tenure in Barking and Dagenham, encompassing nearly a third of all homes. It provides essential housing for many vulnerable residents and families, but it continues to face challenges, including deprivation, antisocial behaviour, and substandard housing conditions. These issues have been exacerbated by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and the residual impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through previous licensing schemes, the council has made significant progress in improving property standards and addressing poor management practices. For example, the council has conducted over 8,000 property inspections under previous schemes, identifying hazards in more than half of these homes and taking action to improve conditions. However, as the PRS continues to grow, this new scheme will help meet the rising needs of both tenants and landlords.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “Property licensing is an important tool that allows us to ensure landlords in the borough provide good quality homes for their tenants and tackle unscrupulous practices.

“I’m really pleased that the scheme has been approved for the whole borough, and I’m encouraged that so many residents expressed their support during the consultation.”

Barking and Dagenham Council is committed to supporting and recognising compliant landlords who provide well-managed homes. Properties requiring a licence will be inspected before a licence is issued, and discounted fees will be available for landlords who demonstrate best practice:

  • Silver Compliance Award: For landlords receiving a satisfactory rating from a compliance audit inspection. Discount – £200 off the Part B fee for scheme running costs.
  • Gold Compliance Award: For accredited landlords with a satisfactory rating from a compliance audit inspection. Discount – £250 off the Part B fee for scheme running costs.

The council’s new Additional Licensing Scheme came into force yesterday (9 January 2025). This means smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), housing three or four people and currently outside the scope of mandatory licensing, must now also be licensed.

To find out more about the new Selective and Additional Licensing Schemes, including guidance for landlords and tenants, visit www.lbbd.gov.uk/propertylicensing or contact the council’s property licensing team directly.