 Dear colleagues,
On 20 December 2023, the Council received Secretary of State for Housing approval to designate a new selective property licensing scheme in 15 wards of the borough (except for Bridge, Clayhall, Fullwell, and Monkhams wards), to be known as Selective Scheme 4.
This scheme requires all landlords or agents of most private rented properties in these areas to apply for a selective property licence. This requirement will begin on 8 April 2024 and will cease to have effect on 7 April 2029 or earlier if the Council revokes the scheme under section 60 of the Act. View the designation notice A copy of this notice may be inspected at London Borough of Redbridge, Lynton House, 255-259 High Road, Ilford, IG1 1NY.
The introduction of this new scheme comes after a full consultation. Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond. The council’s response to consultation comments can be reviewed here. Overall, it was found that significant issues with poor housing conditions and anti-social behaviour persist within private rented properties in the borough.
Applications for Scheme 4 will open from 4 March 2024. If you already have a selective licence for a property in these wards and it is still in date, these licences remain in force until the expiry date printed on the licence.
Please remember it is important you continue to comply with all the licence conditions. Not complying with these licence conditions and failing to licence are criminal offences. This could lead to a Financial Penalty Notice fine of up to £30,000 per offence or prosecution in Court, where the fine is UNLIMITED. Additionally, not having a licence may prevent you from evicting tenants using the ‘section 21’ process and the tenant may be able to claim back up to 12 months’ rent via a rent repayment order (RRO).
Please note that Selective Property Licensing is already a legal requirement in Ilford Town and Valentines wards (known as Scheme 3). If your rented property is in one of these wards you will need a licence now.
If you have any queries about whether licensing applies to your property, you can visit our website.
Best wishes
Private Sector Housing Team
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