London borough of Ealing is the latest council to launch the new licensing scheme.
From 1st January all landlords who let homes in the borough must now have a licence. This includes all landlords who rent out houses in multiple occupation (HMO).
The five wards across the borough that are affected by Licensing are:
- Acton Central,
- East Acton,
- South Acton,
- Southall Green, and,
- Southall Broadway.
Additional licensing scheme applies to all HMOs. Selective licensing applies to all privately rented homes. The license are valid for 5 years and landords and managing agents are required to pay a licensing fee.
From the Ealing Council website the cost of the licenses are:
- Additional licensing fee is £1100 for each HMO
- Selective licensing is £500
Prosecution and an unlimited fine are the penalties for unlicensed properties.
The local authority said that the aim of the schemes will increase the overall standards of properties in the private rental sector and protect tenants from criminal landlords.
DSS Select
