Redbridge Council has gone live with its big new selective licencing scheme that applies to most private rented properties in 15 of the London borough’s wards.

Government approval means the scheme launched yesterday covers Aldborough, Barkingside, Chadwell, Churchfields, Clementswood, Cranbrook, Fairlop, Goodmayes, Hainault, Loxford, Mayfield, Newbury, Seven Kings, South Woodford, and Wanstead Village. The previous selective scheme, which expired in September, covered 12 wards.

The council’s consultation on the expansion found that there were significant issues in the PRS, which this licensing scheme aims to address.

Its report explains: “The council believes with the current evidence and data available, that there remains a persistent and significant problem with ASB and crime in the borough.

Obligations

"Although property licensing will not eradicate ASB and crime, it does provide the intelligence, key tools and levers for the council, the Metropolitan Police and other enforcement partners to deal with those problems as they occur, including imposing essential obligations on landlords and agents.”

The current licence fee of £673 hs incrased to £765, with a £35 discount on the part B application fee to accredited landlords.

It adds: “We have partially changed our objectives to undertake more regular publishing of performance and enforcement statistics and annual reports during the lifetime of the licensing scheme.

"This will include a review of the fees, conditions and mechanics of the licensing scheme…these will be published on our website pages and circulated in subsequent e-bulletins, landlord and tenant forums, and circulated to local landlord and tenant organisations.”

In June 2023, the council approved a borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme, covering small HMOs.

Picture credit: Shutterstock/BasPhoto