New landlord licensing scheme to extend higher housing standards throughout Lambeth

The “selective licensing” scheme is now in operation in 23 of Lambeth’s 25 electoral wards, as part of Lambeth’s drive to raise housing standards, tackle anti-social behaviour and reduce overcrowding in private rented accommodation.

Councillors endorsed the proposed extension last autumn, in a bid to improve property conditions and management across the private rented sector, after the first phase was successfully launched in four wards earlier in the year.

It 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 & South Bank wards.

Failure to licence a licensable property is a criminal offence and landlords who fail to get a licence can face a fine of up to £30,000. If they were prosecuted and convicted, the courts could impose an unlimited fine.

Word from the Cabinet

Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, Councillor Mahamed Hashi, said the roll-out would be welcome news for private renters across Lambeth. But he also urged landlords to make sure they are covered – to avoid “a hefty fine”.

Cllr Hashi added: “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 1st, 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.”

The first phase of the selective licensing scheme was originally introduced last September in four wards: Knights Hill, Streatham Common & Vale, Streatham Hill East, and Streatham St Leonards.

A report presented to the council’s Cabinet in November said the scheme was also in line with the council’s Borough Plan commitments “to ensuring that Lambeth is a borough that is fit for the future, that people want to call home and is one of the safest boroughs in London by 2030”.

It added: “This requires the Council to initiate improvements that ensure behavioural changes that can improve the local environment, where people live and residents experience. In terms of the private rented sector, this includes not only tackling rogue landlords, tackling property conditions but also assisting those that need help.”

Around a third of the 144,985 residential dwellings in Lambeth are in the Private Rented Sector, and official data has shown that over 9,446 of these are predicted to have a serious home hazard. The council has also received over 10,000 complaints of ASB-related incidents in the PRS over a three-year period.

Responses received during a 12-week consultation on the proposals suggested that almost two-thirds of residents and local businesses approved of the proposals for introducing licensing in the first four wards – and the 19 earmarked in the second phase.

Each licence will cost £923, covering the cost of administering the licence over a five-year period, and managing and enforcing the licensing regime.