Croydon has announced plans to bring back its selective licensing scheme after a five-year break.

The authority has been transforming its housing service over the last year to raise standards across the borough and reckons a new scheme would protect residents from living in poor conditions and help regulate the sector. Croydon’s last scheme ended in 2020, by which time 38,596 licences had been issued.

It says most landlords provide homes that are in a decent condition, however, some privately rented properties have serious issues, including damp, mould, fire hazards, and structural instability.

Councillors have now given the green light for officials to put together a proposal for a new scheme followed by a consultation of residents and landlords.

Executive mayor Jason Perry (main image) says that a selective licensing scheme would help raise housing standards. “We do not want our residents to live in poorly managed rented properties that are unsafe or contribute to antisocial behaviour in our neighbourhoods,” he adds.

“I’m committed to improving housing standards across the borough and will continue to take every necessary step to protect the rights of private tenants and responsible landlords, ensuring rogue landlords are held accountable.”

The council, which has been battling financial problems in recent years and in 2023 was put into special measures by the Government, is also targeting poor HMOs and its recent day of action involving officers from the planning enforcement and HMO teams revealed several breaches of planning legislation and the Housing Act (2004) during visits to 21 properties believed to be unauthorised HMOs. The council adopted an Article 4 direction in 2020 to tighten planning controls around the spread of HMOs.

Pic credit: Conservative Home/Jason Perry.