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TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

Croydon licensing to go ahead

A legal bid to stop Croydon Council’s plans to license private landlords has been unsuccessful in the High Court.

At the Royal Courts of Justice in London yesterday, Judge the Hon. Sir Stephen Silber QC refused an application by Croydon Property Forum to overturn the council scheme.

The applicants had argued at a full High Court hearing on Tuesday 4 August that the council had approved the scheme in March without taking “reasonable steps” to consult. However, the judge announced on Thursday morning that he had refused Croydon Property Forum’s application.

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There are around 30,000 private rented properties in the borough, and the council said it developed the scheme to raise housing standards and tackle “dodgy” landlords who undercut their competitors on quality and price.

Any private landlord caught renting out a property without a licence from October will face fines of up to £20,000, while anyone breaking licence conditions can be prosecuted and fined up to £5,000.

Following several months of consultation, the council’s cabinet approved the scheme in March in response to a rise in privately-rented properties, with negative consequences including anti-social behaviour and poor quality homes.

Councillor Alison Butler, deputy leader and cabinet member for homes, regeneration and planning, said: “We always maintained that our landlord licensing scheme was robust and lawful, so we’re very pleased to hear the High Court has found in our favour.

“This scheme is important because raising housing standards and tackling antisocial behaviour is crucial to making Croydon a better place to live.

“We’ll continue to prepare for the licence’s launch on 1 October, and urge any landlords who haven’t yet taken advantage of our early bird discount fee to join the thousand who have.”

Landlords can pay £350 for a five-year licence now, or £750 if they buy the licence after 1 October. All applicants must prove they are “fit and proper”.

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