New measures affecting licensing for landlords across Hammersmith & Fulham launched this month.
H&F Council introduced the measures to better protect tenants from rogue landlords, while also protecting honest landlords from badly-behaving tenants.
The changes, which came into effect on Monday 5 June could affect landlords of houses or flats shared by multiple tenants, or which are in roads where there are higher incidents of anti-social behaviour.
The council wants to raise standards for licensed rental properties to keep tenants safe and to reduce potential problems for neighbours.
The council already operates a mandatory licensing scheme for properties which have three or more storeys and are occupied by five or more people with at least two households.
Licences have the backing of independent Hammersmith estate agent John Horton, founder of Horton and Garton, who believes that an overall improvement in standards will benefit everyone.
“It’s important that landlords understand their responsibilities – and thankfully the majority are extremely responsible,” he said. “It’s also great news for local renters who now have more protection and can expect higher standards from landlords.”
The changes
The following two licensing changes have now been introduced.
Additional licensing requires landlords and letting agents across the borough who let a property, of any number of storeys, occupied by at least three people, who do not make up a single household and who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet, to get a licence.
Selective licensing requires all landlords letting a property that does not meet the criteria for mandatory or additional licensing, and is on named streets, where anti-social behaviour could be a problem, to get a licence.
For a link to apply and guidance on what type of licence you’ll require, see Property licensing for landlords and letting agents.
For background information and documents see Improving private rented housing.
For any other queries, please email phs@lbhf.gov.uk
