Almost all landlords letting out properties in a London borough will soon be legally required to have a selective license.

It’s one of the country’s largest landlord licensing schemes, and required consent from the Housing Secretary, Michael Gove.

The government has now approved Brent council’s proposal to introduce borough-wide property licensing, except for the Wembley Park area. The council claims the aim is driving up living standards for renters and building on what it calls the council’s “positive relationships with private landlords.”

The scheme is expected to go live in spring next year.

Councillor Promise Knight, Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters’ Security, says that the approval of the scheme is a major win for renters and landlords and the private housing sector as a whole. 

“We are delighted that our proposal has been approved. It will be one of the largest selective licensing schemes in London. It’s a major win for both renters and landlords. The scheme will massively improve the standard of living for private renters who make up half of all Brent residents. It will also give landlords and agents complete clarity on their responsibilities regarding property management and safety.

“At a time when housing is at a crisis point across London, the introduction of selective licensing across Brent, with the exception of Wembley Park, will offer renters the assurance of security and safety when it comes their home.”

“Brent will continue to work in partnership with good professional landlords but has a zero-tolerance approach towards rogue landlords. Any rogue landlords in Brent should be on notice that this expansion means that there will be nowhere in Brent for them to hide.”

In 2023, the council issued its first banning order against a landlord, preventing him from letting houses in England for five years. 

Brent has also licenced more HMOs than any other London borough and has one of the most proactive enforcement teams in London.

Wembley Park will be exempt from the licensing scheme as it is currently the only ward in the borough where the number of disrepairs in private rentals does not meet the threshold set by the government.

Further details on how to apply for a licence will be announced in the New Year.