A Conservative London council says private landlords “must” apply for licensing – or else face prosecution.

Since a Selective Licensing scheme was introduced into part of Bexley in January 2025, the Tory dominated council has received almost 1,000 applications.

But in a new statement it says: “More landlords must apply or else risk a fine of up to £30,000 – soon to rise to £40,000 – or prosecution.”

The council claims the scheme was introduced to address incidents of anti-social behaviour and poor property conditions within Belvedere Ward.

A council spokesperson comments: “The Selective Licensing scheme is designed to improve tenant safety, housing conditions and ensure landlord professionalism as well as reassuring residents in the area that the properties are safe and well looked after. 

“As such it is great news that so many of our landlords have already come forward to apply for their selective licence. 

“We are however currently looking into a number of properties that we know are not signed up to the scheme.”

In the past year, the council has carried out nearly 100 inspections of licensed properties. 

And officers have visited 150 properties to try to identify unlicensed units. 

The authority says: “The inspection programme has identified a range of housing hazards requiring attention, including hazards that present an immediate risk to the health or safety of an occupant, known as Category 1 hazards.”