New landlord licensing scheme for Lewisham approved

Plans to introduce a new landlord licensing scheme for the majority of private rented properties in Lewisham have been approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).

The scheme aims to improve the quality and management of privately rented accommodation in the borough, helping to ensure safe and secure housing for private renters. More than 1 in 4 households in Lewisham rent privately, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Following approval from DLUHC, the new licensing scheme will come into effect on 1 July 2024 and will cover an additional 20,000 properties in the borough. Nearly all privately rented properties in Lewisham not currently covered by the existing licensing schemes for Houses of Multiple Occupations (HMOs) will need a licence under the new scheme.

In order to obtain a licence, properties will need to meet minimum health and safety standards and landlords who fail to fulfil their statutory responsibilities, such as carrying out repairs in a timely fashion, will be subject to enforcement action from the Council.

Cllr Will Cooper, Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Homelessness, said: "With 1 in 4 households in Lewisham renting privately, improving standards in the private rented sector is a vital part of our work to tackle the housing crisis. Our new licensing scheme will help ensure private rented properties are fit for purpose and empower us to take action against those landlords who fail to fulfil their responsibilities.”

Further information will be shared with landlords in the coming months about how to apply for a licence prior to the scheme coming into effect in July 2024. Full details about the licensing scheme, including which properties and parts of the borough it will apply to, can be found in the notice of designation.