16th
Jan 2025
Barking and Dagenham’s Labour council is set to launch a comprehensive Selective Licensing Scheme on April 6, covering all private rental properties in the borough.
This initiative is the first to utilize the recent law change by Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, which allows councils to implement extensive licensing schemes without needing government approval.
Previously, the council had to wait for the Secretary of State’s authorization for such schemes, which covered over 20% of the borough.
Starting this spring, all landlords in Barking and Dagenham will be required to obtain a license to rent out their properties. The private rented sector, now the fastest-growing housing tenure in the borough, accounts for nearly a third of all homes.
Barking and Dagenham council highlights significant advancements in property standards and management practices through its past licensing schemes.
According to the council, more than 8,000 property inspections have been carried out under these initiatives.
A spokesperson says: “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.”
Starting in April, properties which need a licence under the new scheme will be inspected before a licence is granted. Landlords who demonstrate best practice will benefit from discounted fees:
- Silver Compliance Award: For landlords who receive a satisfactory rating from a compliance audit inspection. They will get £200 off the Part B fee for scheme running costs;
- Gold Compliance Award: Accredited landlords receiving a satisfactory rating from a compliance audit inspection will enjoy a £250 discount on the Part B fee for scheme running costs.
The council recently introduced Additional Licensing Scheme, which now requires smaller HMOs housing three to four people—previously excluded from mandatory licensing—to apply for a licence.
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