Selective licensing

Proposals for a new selective licensing scheme to cover nearly all privately rented properties in the borough were approved by Mayor and Cabinet on 8 March 2023.

The proposed scheme will now be submitted to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) for approval. Once approval has been received, work will begin on the implementation of the scheme and a statutory three-month notice will be published prior to the scheme coming into effect. Timescales for implementation of the scheme are dependent on the length of time taken by DLUHC to respond to the submission.

If the proposed scheme is approved, it would 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) would need a licence under the new scheme. The Council will work closely with landlords and tenants in the borough to ensure they are aware of the their responsibilities and rights under the new licensing scheme.

You can find further details about the proposed selective licensing scheme, including the draft notice of designation, proposed licence fees and a summary of the consultation responses in the Mayor and Cabinet meeting papers.