Waltham Forest has been slammed for failing to adequately publicise details of its new additional licensing scheme.

The London borough has already handed out £876,400 in fines for licensing non-compliance this year, making it the capital’s biggest enforcer of financial penalties against rogue landlords.

Along with extending its selective scheme, Waltham Forest Council has also extended its additional scheme to cover the entire borough from 1st April 2025. However, the announcement has only been quietly published, with little effort to inform landlords and letting agents, says geospatial technology firm Kamma.

The official designation for the extended additional licensing scheme was made on 18th July, with information buried within the council’s consultation announcements, while the additional licensing webpage is not slated for an update until May 2025 - after the new scheme has already launched.

Frustration

There is growing frustration among landlords and letting agents over the lack of clarity and communication from councils, according to Kamma.

Its recent poll reveals that nearly 70% of landlords and letting agents struggle to determine whether their properties fall within a licensing scheme, with more than 90% criticising councils for failing to effectively publicise upcoming schemes and regulatory changes.

CEO Orla Shields (main image) says Waltham Forest’s rigorous enforcement is commendable and sets a high standard for improving housing conditions, but that this progress is undermined by the council’s failure to adequately inform stakeholders about upcoming licensing changes.

“While Kamma provides essential reports to letting agents about how regulations affect their properties, this responsibility should primarily lie with the council,” she adds. “By not properly communicating these changes, councils risk reinforcing the perception that licensing is merely a cash grab, rather than a genuine effort to enhance housing standards.

“Clear, proactive communication from the council will be key to ensuring compliance and fostering a collaborative approach to maintaining housing standards across the borough.”

LandlordZONE has contacted the council for a response.