Barking and Dagenham’s Labour council is introducing a new Selective Licensing Scheme incorporating every single private rental property in the borough.

The scheme will begin on April 6 and is thought to be the first taking advantage of the law change announced by Housing Secretary Angela Rayner just before Christmas, allowing councils to implement larger licensing schemes without seeking government approval. 

Previously, the council had been awaiting the Secretary of State’s authorisation for the proposed scheme, covering more than 20% of the borough. 

So from the spring, all landlords in Barking and Dagenham must obtain a licence to rent out their properties. 

The private rented sector is now the fastest-growing housing tenure in Barking and Dagenham, encompassing nearly a third of all homes. 

Through previous licensing schemes, the council claims to have made significant progress in improving property standards and addressing poor management practices. 

The council says it has conducted over 8,000 property inspections under previous schemes.

A spokesperson says: “Property licensing is an important tool that allows us to ensure landlords in the borough provide good quality homes for their tenants and tackle unscrupulous practices. I’m really pleased that the scheme has been approved for the whole borough, and I’m encouraged that so many residents expressed their support during the consultation.”

Properties requiring a licence under the new regime from April will be inspected before a licence is issued, and discounted fees will be available for landlords who demonstrate best practice:

• Silver Compliance Award: For landlords receiving a satisfactory rating from a compliance audit inspection. Discount – £200 off the Part B fee for scheme running costs;

• Gold Compliance Award: For accredited landlords with a satisfactory rating from a compliance audit inspection. Discount – £250 off the Part B fee for scheme running costs.

The council’s new Additional Licensing Scheme came into force last week. This means smaller HMOs, housing three or four people and currently outside the scope of mandatory licensing, must now also be licensed