Westminster’s Labour council has announced the implementation of a new Selective Licensing Scheme for privately rented homes.
The new scheme, set to cover 15 of the borough’s 18 wards, will apply to all privately rented properties excluding HMOs that are already covered under existing mandatory and additional licensing schemes.
The council describes this as “a decisive move aimed at tackling poor housing conditions and reducing anti-social behaviour by targeting rogue landlords and bringing substandard properties up to acceptable living standards.”
The council used a private consultancy to conduct the statutory consultation process, which the council alleges provided “a detailed evidence base, highlighting the need for intervention in areas where housing conditions and anti-social behaviour remain problematic.”
A spokesperson for the authority says: “The Selective Licensing Scheme is about supporting responsible landlords and ensuring that every resident in Westminster has access to safe, secure, and well-maintained housing. We’re focused on improving living conditions, not only to protect tenants but also to support landlords who do the right thing.”
This article is taken from Landlord Today