A London borough is introducing two new private sector property licensing schemes.
They come into effect from September 1 and will run for five years.
Croydon council’s selective licensing scheme (for single household properties) will apply to privately rented homes in 14 out of the 28 wards in the borough, covering around 72.5% of the borough’s private rented sector.
Landlords in these areas will need a licence and must meet clear standards on property condition, safety and management.
A new additional licensing scheme will also apply right across the borough to smaller houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) not already covered by national rules.
The schemes include a stronger, targeted inspection regime focused on properties with poor conditions or management and safety hazards.
A council statement says: “This reflects a zero-tolerance approach to landlords who do not meet the required standards and will help spot problems sooner and deal with them before they get worse, improving conditions across the borough.
“The introduction of the schemes follows a 12-week public consultation, with over 1,000 responses from residents, landlords, businesses and organisations, including those from neighbouring areas with properties or interests in Croydon.
“Feedback from surveys, doorstep engagement and in-person events has shaped the final proposals, including more property inspections and clearer plans for delivery.”
Executive Mayor Jason Perry says: “Everyone deserves a safe, decent and well-managed home, and too many residents are still living in conditions that are not acceptable in Croydon. That has to change.
“These evidence-based schemes give us stronger powers to act where homes are not being properly managed, so we can focus on the areas where issues are most common and drive out poor practice.
“Where landlords break the rules, we will act. We will not allow people’s safety or living conditions to be put at risk. This is about raising standards across Croydon and making sure residents can feel safe and confident in their homes.”
