Councils often claim that landlord licensing schemes improve housing standards or weed out rogue landlords – but a London council says such a scheme is “protecting their [tenants] fundamental rights.”

Labour-controlled Wandsworth council says borough-wide landlord licensing will apply from July 1 to HMOs with three or more people from different households, as well as a further scheme for all private rented homes in four parts of the borough – Furzedown, South Balham, Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway areas.

A council statement says: “These schemes provide robust protections for tenants as part of the council’s commitment to renters across the borough. Private landlords in these areas will be required to meet our standards on aspects such as health and safety, living conditions and room sizes. Landlords will also be required to protect deposits in a government-backed scheme.

“Once they have come into effect, landlords operating without suitable licences could face prosecution or financial penalties of up to £30,000. Tenants may be eligible to reclaim 12 months’ rent, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit if an offence is committed.”

Aydin Dikerdem, the councillor responsible for housing, adds: “Wandsworth has one of the highest proportions of renters in the country. Yet many don’t know who they can turn to if things start to go wrong. Our new licensing scheme will give the council more robust powers to inspect and intervene in cases where landlords are not living up to their duties.

“This will help us to crack down on rogue landlords, while providing renters with more support and protecting their fundamental rights.”