Lambeth council proposes UK’s most expensive selective licensing scheme

by Property118.com Landlord News Team

12:02 AM, 19th December 2023, 2 years ago 16

Categories:

Landlord News Landlord News Selective Licensing

A London borough unveils a controversial plan, in a bid for better standards.

Lambeth Council are launching a consultation on a proposed selective licensing scheme for the city.

Landlords in the area could have to pay a whopping £923 per property in 23 of its 25 wards beginning in September 2024, making it the most expensive selective licensing scheme in the UK.

Renters living in hazardous and unacceptable conditions

The scheme will not need permission from the government but the council then wants to add a further 19 wards in 2025, which will require the Secretary of State’s approval.

Lambeth already operates London’s most expensive HMO licensing scheme at £506 per bedroom. A four-bedroom HMO in the area could already set landlords back £2,024.

Cllr Maria Kay, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: “We have already taken significant action to tackle poor standards in the private rented sector, and although most landlords operating in Lambeth provide our residents with decent, well-managed and safe homes, we continue to uncover renters living in hazardous and unacceptable conditions.

“We are focused on improving health and wellbeing and reducing inequalities for people in Lambeth. That’s why we have launched our consultation on the private rented property sector as part of our commitment to addressing these issues.”

Only cause rent increases for innocent tenants

Mick Roberts, one of Nottingham’s largest landlords to house benefit tenants, has previously criticised Nottingham council for its selective licensing scheme.

He says the scheme is to blame for soaring rents in the city. Mr Roberts says selective licensing schemes are not the answer to better standards in the private rented sector.

He said: “Ms Kay from Lambeth Council says most landlords are good, yet she still charges them all to get at the minority bad ones. Why do all landlords need to pay £923, it’s grossly unfair, this will only cause rent increases for innocent tenants.”

The consultation runs until Monday 4^th March 2024. Landlords and tenants in the area are encouraged to have their say here

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Tags: affordable housing, lambeth council, London property, london rentals, Rental Property Standards, Selective Licensing

Comments

Gunga Din

Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 222

10:08 AM, 19th December 2023, About 2 years ago

Completions during a minister’s tenure doesn’t seem a reasonable or fair measure. Can a minister in office for 4 months take credit for completions of dwellings which must have been initiated months previously, by a oredecesor?

2 Report Comment Reply
Adam Smith

Member Since April 2014 - Comments: 11

10:09 AM, 19th December 2023, About 2 years ago

Not the most expensive; I paid Hackney Council £950 for a property in October 2020. The licence arrived in November 2023.

5 Report Comment Reply
GlanACC Read Full Bio

Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506

10:25 AM, 19th December 2023, About 2 years ago

Yes, license costs are irrelevant to landlords as they will simply be reflected in the rent. What exactly does the council expect, that the landlord should shoulder the cost, no way.

6 Report Comment Reply
Charlotte Valles

Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 3

10:49 AM, 19th December 2023, About 2 years ago

Cornwall HMO licenses are £988 for a renewal and £1300 for the initial license.

1 Report Comment Reply
Gunga Din

Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 222

10:57 AM, 19th December 2023, About 2 years ago

My earlier post was meant for a different thread. Not sure how that could have happened.
Anyway – on this one – good to read that Lambeth council promise the increase will improve standards! Just like all the other schemes.

2 Report Comment Reply
Martin Roberts

Member Since November 2016 - Comments: 227

1:40 PM, 19th December 2023, About 2 years ago

This can only be passed on to tenants.

3 Report Comment Reply
Michael Booth

Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 335

1:51 PM, 19th December 2023, About 2 years ago

Passed on in the rent Tennant pays its has simple has that, any complaints take it up with the mp or council. More landlords leaving prs .and more homeless, but hey ho thats maybe what they want.

2 Report Comment Reply
Rob

Member Since April 2014 - Comments: 985 - Articles: 2

2:54 PM, 19th December 2023, About 2 years ago

Peanuts, £1420 in Bristol!

2 Report Comment Reply
JB

Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 763

4:29 PM, 19th December 2023, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Rob Crawford at 19/12/2023 – 14:54
Unbeliebable! No wonder Bristol has one of the worst housing crisis.

Poor tenants – they will pay for this. They need to rise up against licensing

1 Report Comment Reply
howdidigethere

Member Since November 2022 - Comments: 66

11:29 AM, 20th December 2023, About 2 years ago

I think the situation is not anything to do about licensing. It is about Council solvency.

Councils around the country are insolvent, most of them are just hiding it.

Any means for new revenue will be taken, regardless of how thin the excuse is.

Greenwich applications started last year and have still not come to be processed.

If anyone had the time and energy, I think a class action suit against the councils for misrepresentation and unjust enrichment would be a good course of action.

Furthermore, is it not illegal to pay an entity who is insolvent?

5 Report Comment Reply

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