New licencing schemes for HMOs and the wider private rented sector have come into effect in an infamous London borough.
Wandsworth council – which used to be a poster boy for Thatcherism and right wing individualism – is now a Labour authority and it has introduced two new licensing regimes.
Additional Licencing applies to homes with three or more people from different household; Selective licencing currently applies to all private rented homes within the Furzedown, South Balham, Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway areas.
Landlords operating without suitable licences could face prosecution or financial penalties of up to £30,000 and tenants may be eligible to reclaim 12 months’ rent, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit if an offence is committed.
Landlords that apply to the schemes within the first six months will receive a discounted rate.
A council spokesperson says: “Under the existing licencing, we have been able to successfully address cases where landlords are operating illegally or forcing tenants to live in poor conditions.
“These new landlord licencing schemes will give the council more robust powers to inspect and intervene in cases where landlords are not living up to their duties, providing renters with more support and protecting their rights.”
As part of the landlord licencing, the council has a new ‘Gold Standard’ to recognise and reward what it calls’good landlords’ who exceed the basic legal and tenancy standards.
This article is taken from Landlord Today