Lewisham’s selective licence scheme?

Councils already have the powers to deal with rogue landlords.

Selective Licensing is more about raising revenue than fixing rental problems. So, yes, every tenancy will be subject to this pseudo-tax, every tenant will eventually pay it (albeit indirectly) and, once the Renters Reform Bill is enacted, you’ll be paying three times to have your documents checked.

I don’t see why a compliant landlord should pay for SL. whether they use an agent or not.

Councils need money. Landlords have money.

Government subs were taken away from councils year ago and by ‘pure coincidence’ licensing came in at same time and without telling anyone! Over time, fees and fines will go up e.g. VAT started at 2.5% it’s now 20%!

Intended genuinely as a scheme to target problem areas and hmo in particular with additional controls and legislation.

In practice they have been abused and applied universally for additional revenue. I am paying it and the property has not been inspected once.. and it is a luxury apartment.. so not sure what abuse the tenants might be suffering anyway.

Amusingly, when this particular council is the landlord themselves.. they were providing council housing in buildings with the bad cladding that is prone to fire

Reply to the comment left by BillyC at 13/05/2024 – 13:43
The irony
https://www.socialhousing.co.uk/news/lewisham-council-risked-serious-detriment-to-tenants-over-fire-safety-and-repairs-regulator-finds-85816
‘The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has concluded that the London Borough of Lewisham has failed to meet the requirements of its Home Standard, with the potential for “serious detriment” to its tenants as a result.’
and
https://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/housing-law/397-housing-news/56727-ombudsman-awards-40-000-in-compensation-to-residents-of-london-borough-after-council-failings-in-damp-and-mould-complaints
‘The Housing Ombudsman has awarded £40,000 to residents after they were left in “dire” damp and mould conditions by Lewisham Council.

This came after the Ombudsman made three findings of severe maladministration by the local authority.’

I inadvertently noticed Lewisham is rolling out selective licensing. I called and asked them ‘what have you done to tell landlords about this?’ They said we attached letters with council tax. I said I don’t live there (it’s a rented property(?!)). It’s actually a joke.
Anyway, applications open 20th May is the latest I’m aware. ‘Early bird’ or NRLA discounts (20%) apply.
It is to be renewed annually.

Reply to the comment left by Priten Patel at 13/05/2024 – 19:51
Who’d have though it, a landlord doesn’t live in a rental property and get the council tax bill and/or doesn’t live in the Borough of Lewisham?!

To be renewed annually?? Are you kidding me – 640 every year?

Is it per landlord per property?

How will they know if a property is let? Or sublet, bearing in mind how much of that goes on?

What happens if a landlord genuinely didn’t know about it? Not sure the letting people know about it via council tax would stand up in court but how does a landlord prove they simply didn’t know about it?

Reply to the comment left by Fiona Dick at 13/05/2024 – 19:59councils don’t have to ‘prove’ anything. They fall back on the old chestnut that a GOOD LL should be on top of everything and ensure they are a fully complaint one – so that means being a bl**dy psychic too knowing that your rental (which you don’t live in obviously) is supposed to have a licence.
Bearing in mind the SL schemes already in place state they look through title deeds and all manner of public records to determine the property owner when it comes to enforcement, there is nothing standing in their way to contact the owner directly IN ADVANCE to tell them a licence is needed is there.
Oh yes I forgot…its not about raising standards, stopping ASBO issues or making sure all tenants are happy and safe in their rentals…its only about cash into the coffers!!!

Reply to the comment left by Fiona Dick at 13/05/2024 – 19:59
I know right, common sense clearly in the bin. I did tell them they need to do more to tell landlords about this. I imagine they’ll dish out fines.

I asked the specific question about how long the license lasts as looking to sell next year and the answer I got was annually – this would be per property. It’s extortionate.

Oh it wasn’t just council tax bills. They put adverts on busses (assuming busses that operate in Lewisham), but not all landlords that own in Lewisham live there… oh and their website, but who goes there for fun?

Not all landlords are rouges!!
I had no idea lewisham is doing this as I have not had any notifications!
Maybe my tenant does but he is not going to tell me so I guess the council is doing this on purpose so they can dish out fines to landlords.
In my opinion another money making tactic by the government for allowing councils to make landlords pay for licences. Landlords are struggling enough with new legislations and rules as it is.
And to say all landlords are rich to pay out for licences ,certificates etc is so incorrect and ridiculous ?