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Government backs Labour council’s ‘unique’ licensing scheme

The government has agreed that a council in London where all 51 councillors are Labour should go ahead with a five year private rental licensing scheme.

The borough wide scheme - which is the only one of its kind that has been approved by the government - means that every single privately rented property in Barking and Dagenham will need to be licensed and comply with strict conditions.

The council currently has a private rented property and additional HMO licensing scheme which will end on August 31. 

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The government’s backing means it will be replaced by the borough wide, five year property licensing scheme which will start on September 1. 
 
The new scheme will affect approximately 20,000 households in the borough.

The council says that over the last five years, private rented homes have been the fastest growing housing sector in Barking and Dagenham, making up 27 per cent of the borough’s housing and provide accommodation “to an increasing number of vulnerable individuals and families.”

It also claims its current licensing scheme, introduced five years ago, has prompted 70  prosecutions and the serving of 570 enforcement notices requiring properties to be made safe. 

“We have also undertaken over 100 operations working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade to ensure properties are regulated and safe” says a statement from the authority. 

A spokeswoman for the council says: “The scheme will help us to continue to weed out rogue landlords who put tenants at risk, and to crack down on crime, antisocial behaviour and overcrowding. We will also ensure that landlords deal with problems including rubbish in front gardens and noise which are often linked with over-crowded accommodation.”

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    Erm ... isn't that the same as Selective licensing currently in operation in quite a few London Boroughs?

  • S l
    • S l
    • 03 June 2019 11:22 AM

    What a rubbish article. Everyone knows problems of rubbish and noise are due to the occupiers, not landlords especially bad tenants who cant be bothered to clean up after themselves. I am sure many of you would agree that it is the tenant that should be held liable for the noise and rubbish created by them which are highly unlikely be due to overcrowded accomodation. More of a lifestyle issues. These people have gone bonkers!!!

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    Agree. Any of my tenants will be charged to clean and keep tidy garden and anything else they have caused. So simple rules so simple to apply

  • PossessionFriendUK PossessionFriend

    When are the govt going to introduce ' TENANT Licensing ' ? - oh. Never - because that's who's votes they're after !
    Don't find Landlords committing Anti-Social Behaviour - its usually the Tenants !!!
    see comments on ' @possession ' ( Facebook )

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