Landlords warned of fines as selective licensing schemes comes into force

A London council has announced a new selective licensing scheme has come into force this week and will set landlords out of pocket by nearly £1,000.

Lambeth Council has announced the selective licensing scheme is in operation across 23 of Lambeth’s 25 electoral wards, which the council claims is to “tackle anti-social behaviour.”

Under the scheme, landlords will need to pay £923 for the licence or face a fine of up to £30,000.

Renters in Lambeth have been let down by rogue landlords

According to Lambeth council, the selective licensing scheme now means landlords will now need to have a licence to legally let to a single-family household or no more than two unrelated sharers, in every part of Lambeth apart from the Vauxhall and Waterloo and South Bank wards.

Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, Councillor Mahamed Hashi, claims the scheme will tackle anti-social behaviour and help tenants.

He said: “For too long, nearly 100,000 private renters in Lambeth have been let down by rogue landlords, left in damp, cold and unsafe flats, unsuitable for families and young people.

“But, from September, we’re changing that with our new licensing scheme – raising housing standards, tackling anti-social behaviour and reducing overcrowding.

“This gives you more security, more rights, and more power to demand the decent homes you deserve.”

Landlords face a hefty fine

The council warn landlords could face a hefty fine of up to £30,000 if they fail to licence the property and if prosecuted and convicted, the courts could impose an unlimited fine.

According to Lambeth council, the licence fee of £923 will be used to cover the cost of administering the licence over a five-year period, and managing and enforcing the licensing regime.

Previously, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has told councils must not profit from selective licensing schemes. However, a previous report by Property118 reveals Nottingham City Council spent millions of pounds on selective licensing and failed to ringfence the scheme.