New property licence scheme launches in Lewisham
With 1 in 4 households in Lewisham renting privately*, the new scheme will help the Council ensure landlords are providing safe and decent quality homes and fair treatment for renters.
The new scheme will cover an additional 20,000 properties in the borough, which are not included in existing licensing schemes for Houses of Multiple Occupations (HMOs).
An extensive public consultation with landlords, tenants and other residents was carried out prior to the designation of the scheme, and plans for the selective licensing scheme were approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) in November 2023.
To obtain a licence, properties will need to certify that they meet minimum health and safety standards. Landlords who fail to fulfil their statutory responsibilities, such as carrying out repairs in a timely fashion, will be subject to enforcement action. The Council will work closely with landlords and tenants in the borough to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities and rights under the scheme.
Selective licensing is only introduced in areas where the council can evidence that it is necessary, hence its absence in specific wards like Telegraph Hill and a small area of Blackheath.
Applications received within the first three months will be eligible for a 20% early bird discount.
Councillor Will Cooper, Cabinet Member for Better Homes, Neighbourhoods and Homelessness, said:
“Selective licensing will ensure Lewisham’s privately rented housing is of a higher standard and comes with better security for renters, who make up a quarter of residents in our borough.
“Everyone deserves a safe and decent place to call home, and this scheme will support the Council to take meaningful action against landlords who fail to fulfil their responsibilities.
“20,000 additional properties in Lewisham will now be subject to improved standards and reduced antisocial behaviour, making Lewisham a fairer and more enjoyable place to live.”
*Figures according to the Office for National Statistics