One of London’s most high-profile councils has revealed the start date for its new selective and additional licensing schemes as it bids to clamp down on rogue landlords and improve rental properties.
Following a consultation last year, borough-wide landlord licencing will apply to HMOs with three or more people from different households, as well as a further scheme for all private rented homes in Furzedown, South Balham, Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway areas begins on July 1st. A second phase will include East Putney, West Putney and Northcote.
The £850 selective scheme covers all privately rented homes within these wards. The additional HMO scheme costs £1,450.
The PRS now makes up 36% of the London borough’s housing market, giving it one of the highest numbers of private renters in the country, according to cabinet member for housing, Aydin Dikerdem.
“Wandsworth has one of the highest proportions of renters in the country. Yet many don’t know who they can turn to if things start to go wrong. Our new licensing scheme will give the council more robust powers to inspect and intervene in cases where landlords are not living up to their duties," he says.
“This will help us to crack down on rogue landlords, while providing renters with more support and protecting their fundamental rights."
Wandsworth council used to be a flagship Tory London council and was controlled by a Conservative majority of councillors from 1978 until 2022 before Labour took control during the most recent local elections.
It was former PM Margaret Thatcher's favourite council, largely because it pioneered many of her favourite policies including privatising services such as bin collections and Right to Buy.
By implementing both schemes, Wandsworth will become the 23rd borough within London to operate licencing schemes of this kind.
Local Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan has also backed the council's licensing schemes, saying: "Tooting has one of the highest proportions of private renters anywhere in the UK and they deserve better protection from rogue landlords.
Landlords can find out more on the council's website.
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