Camden Council is holding consultations on their proposed licensing scheme that they are planning to implement in Feb 2015. However the council slipped up when it admitted, at a recent meeting, that although the consultation process is still ongoing they have already decided that the landlord licensing scheme will be going ahead.

Camden Council recently held a meeting with landlords and interested parties at their headquarters regarding their proposal of implementing additional landlord licensing scheme throughout its boundaries. This was when the officials owned up to the fact that come what may the scheme will come into force early next year (2015).

Camden Council, like any Authority, is being hit by austerity measures and they openly suggested that the licences would probably end up resourcing staff wages. The Government's licensing consent criteria outlined in the 2004 Housing Act means that if the Council goes ahead,  it will be breaching the necessary stipulations.
 
One of the landlords who attended the meeting said: “The meeting proved to be a tense and frustrating one and we are just astonished by the council’s approach to this consultation which is supposed to close on 28 November.
 
“It’s a farce. People who are genuinely concerned about the impact of this scheme have put in their precious time to ensure their views are heard, but sadly by the council’s own omission this is a waste of time, as they have already decided to introduce the scheme regardless of the consultation’s outcome.
 
“The council was given a deservedly rough time by property organisation representatives that were present, and should be worried if someone seeks to pursue a judicial review.”

Richard Merrick of PIMS comments : " This licensing scheme to all intents and purposes is unnecessary and cannot be "clouded" by the usual excuses of curbing anti-social behaviour and creating better housing standards.
 
"As in other areas where it is being introduced there is a very real danger of the "Landlord Tax" - Licensing Schemes will be passed onto the tenants. Once again investors will be keeping abreast of the situation as this will undoubtedly affect their decision as to whether to invest in the area."