Licensing scheme to crack down on rogue landlords in Southwark

By Grainne Cuffe, Local Democracy Reporter

Ruthless landlords who charge high rents but still leave tenants exposed to danger have sparked a clampdown by town hall chiefs.

Southwark has approved a borough-wide licensing scheme which could see all landlords in the borough pay for a licence.

The move, approved at a virtual cabinet meeting last week, is a bid to crack down on private landlords who provide “unsafe and substandard” accommodation.

It could see landlords pay at least £900 for a licence, and up to £1,310 plus £60 per room above five for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Currently landlords only need a licence if the property is within small designated areas in the borough.

Councillor Victoria Mills, cabinet member for finance, performance, and Brexit, said: “Southwark council believes that every resident should have a warm, dry and safe place to call home and is firmly committed to driving up standards in the private rented sector which now makes up a third of the housing in our borough.

“To underline our commitment that everyone should have a good quality home no matter who their landlord is, we are seeking to renew and expand our existing housing licensing schemes.”

Southwark is proposing to renew and update its licensing schemes, which comes to an end on December 31 of this year, so that all landlords in the borough will have to pay a licence fee.

Exemptions would include properties converted into flats, those let by the council, holiday lets, those with business tenancies, night shelters, and temporary accommodation for people suffering a mental health disorder or recovering from drug and alcohol abuse.

Fees for mandatory licensing would be split into two payments, the first £580 plus £30 per room above five to process the application and, if successful, another £730 plus £30 per room above five to cover “enforcement of the licence”.

All HMOs not subject to mandatory licensing would also require a licence. The same exemptions would apply.

Cllr Mills said: “Taken in full, and if agreed by the Secretary of State following consultation, these proposals would see borough wide licensing across all the private rented sector in Southwark.

“We know that there are many poor landlords in Southwark, but we also know that there are good ones and we know that the private rented sector plays an important role in meeting the housing needs of our residents.”