Labour-run council hires extra staff for selective licensing crackdown

A council has doubled the size of its staff to deal with selective licensing.

Westminster council claims it has recruited 52 new posts to its Private Renters Team to process selective licensing applications and move from “reactive enforcement to a more proactive approach”.

The licence costs nearly £1,000, and an online reporting tool has been launched for residents who suspect a property is operating without the correct licence.

The news follows an announcement by Mansfield District Council recently that it had underestimated how many PRS homes would need to be licensing and recruited two more staff members.

Deliver real change in the private rented sector

The Labour-run council says the response to the selective licensing scheme from landlords “has been far stronger than anticipated” and has received more applications than expected.

Cllr Ellie Ormsby, cabinet member for regeneration and renters, claimed extra staff will help support renters.

She said: “Selective licensing has given us the ability to significantly expand our Private Renters Team, allowing us to move from reactive enforcement to a proactive approach that raises standards across Westminster.

“As new duties come into force under the Renters’ Rights Act, Westminster Labour is making sure the council has the capacity to meet its responsibilities, protect renters, and support responsible landlords. This expanded team gives us the tools we need to deliver real change in the private rented sector.”

Help target enforcement

Westminster City Council claims its Private Renters Team will now focus on increasing compliance across the borough by identifying properties that are not registered but should be licensed under the selective licensing scheme.

The council’s online reporting tool will allow tenants and residents to report a property they suspect has no licence. It claims: “This will help us target enforcement more effectively and ensure that no one gains an unfair advantage by avoiding their responsibilities.”

The council also points out that when a landlord fails to obtain the correct licence, tenants may be eligible to apply for a Rent Repayment Order, allowing them to reclaim up to 12 months’ rent paid during periods of non-compliance.

As previously reported on Property118, selective licensing does more than good, with government guidance suggesting selective licensing should only be used as a last resort.