Improving private sector housing via licensing

New discretionary licensing schemes approved

On the 6 December 2021 we approved the renewal of our discretionary licensing schemes. The renewed additional licensing scheme and the selective licensing scheme will be effective from the 5 June 2022 when the old scheme ends.

Find out more: New discretionary licensing schemes approved


Background

Consultation 2021

We have consulted publicly (May to August 2021) about the future of licensing in the private rental sector from June 2022, so we can focus our resources where they’re most needed. 

Improving private sector housing via licensing consultation response summary (286KB pdf)

All enquiries to: Debbie Ricketts, Private Sector Housing Manager
020 8753 1258
debbie.ricketts@lbhf.gov.uk

Proposal

The council is proposing to implement new property licensing schemes from June 2022 for a further 5 years, focussing on the types of properties and streets where there are the most significant problems, as follows:

  • Additional Licensing for Houses and Flats in Multiple Occupation (“HMOs”) which are outside the scope of Mandatory HMO Licensing
  • Selective Licensing for rented dwellings in 24 specified streets

The full proposal report is on the agenda for the council’s Cabinet on 6 December 2021 and the report will be published on the council’s website one week before that date.

Summary

The private rented sector in Hammersmith & Fulham is the sixth largest in London, and eighth biggest in the country. It makes up nearly a third of all borough households (according to the 2011 census), a 10% rise since 2001. The 2021 census is expected to show a further increase in the number of privately rented flats and houses in the borough.

To help improve the sector, the council has a Landlords’ Charter, with discounted licence fees for landlords who sign up, or who belong to the London Landlords’ Accreditation Scheme or a recognised landlords’ association.

In 2017 the council introduced two licensing schemes, requiring landlords to apply to the council for a licence. Both expire in June 2022. 

  • One is an additional licence for houses and flats in shared occupation (HMOs) for any lets outside the standard arrangement
  • The other is a selective licence covering rented homes in 128 named streets, to reduce antisocial behaviour in areas where it’s seen to be a problem

The proposal is to continue with Additional HMO Licensing for all HMOs not covered by Mandatory HMO Licensing, and to substantially reduce the number of streets in the Selective Licensing scheme from 128 to 23, in order to focus on busy roads, flats above shops, and roads with a significant private rented sector.

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