Improving private rented housing 2017 -22

A third of H&F residents rent their homes privately. We want to do more to protect them from bad landlords – and to protect good landlords from badly-behaving tenants.

In July 2016, we consulted you about our plans for making life better for people who rent their homes in Hammersmith & Fulham. We received over 2,000 responses. In summary, the majority were in favour of introducing five measures. Based on this feedback, on 5 December the council formally agreed to introduce the following.

New standards for licensed rental properties to ensure tenants are safe and problems to neighbours such as rubbish are better managed. From January 2017 onwards anyone applying for a licence will need to meet the new standards.

Additional licensing will require landlords and letting agents across the borough who let a property 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. This will start on 5 June 2017.

Selective licensing will require all landlords letting a property on named streets (list attached), where anti-social behaviour has been a problem, to get a licence. This will also start on 5 June 2017.

Which streets are included?

Streets designated for selective licensing 2017 (pdf 202KB)

See our explanatory notes for more information

A new landlords’ rental charter to encourage landlords to commit to best practice in management, housing standards, living rent, and security of tenancies. We expect this will attract tenants to choose H&F charter landlords over other landlords.

A new social lettings agency to put potential renters in touch with the best local landlords who meet all the higher standards expected.

See Property licensing for landlords and letting agents

Designation

On 13 December 2016, as required by law, we began designating the borough subject to additional licensing and selective licensing as set out in the legal documents linked below.

Public notice - H&F - designation of an area for additional licensing of HMOs(pdf)
Public notice - H&F - designation of an area for selective licensing (pdf)
Public notice - H&F – revocation of designated areas for selective licensing (pdf)

If you have any questions please email phs@lbhf.gov.uk