We want your views on private rental sector licensing in your area
Selective Licensing applies to all privately rented properties in a designated area that are not covered by licensing for Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO).
We are launching a consultation on our proposals to introduce localised licensing for all landlords of privately rented homes in three designated areas of the borough.
The licensing will help us improve the quality of privately rented housing in these areas by tackling issues like overcrowding and poor housing conditions. It will also help us to tackle issues that affect the wider community, like antisocial behaviour.
Councillor Paul Bell, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, said:
“The private rented sector is a large part of the housing options in our borough and the Council has a duty to do what it can to protect those tenants from unscrupulous landlords.
“We know that residents in private rented homes experience higher levels of environmental antisocial behaviour in close proximity to their homes. By introducing these new licensing schemes we can help improve the housing standards for those residents. Making improvements to housing and environmental standards will be a benefit to tenants, their neighbours and the local community.”
The online consultation runs until 20 May 2022.
The Council wants to hear the views of landlords, private tenants and all residents who live, work or have a connection to the areas under consideration.
There are more than 39,000 Private Rented Sector properties (excluding 733 licensed Homes of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) properties) in the borough. This accounts for more than 31% of the total dwellings in Lewisham.
Find out more and take part in the private rental sector licensing consultation.
Printed copies of the consultation will be available at Lewisham, Deptford and Downham libraries.
Please note:
In November 2021, Lewisham Council lays out its plans for a separate licensing scheme which will cover all Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) in the borough.
Currently there is mandatory licensing for HMO with shared bathroom or kitchen facilities, where there are at least five people living in two or more households and additional licensing for HMOs above commercial premises where there are at least three people living in two or more households.
The revised scheme, which will be launching from April 2022, will cover all HMOs where three people, who are unrelated, live in two or more households share facilities such as kitchen or bathroom.