More private landlords with rental homes in the London borough of Havering may soon have to apply for a license after the local council announced plans to start a consultation on two new additional licensing proposals.
The first proposal is for an HMO Additional Licensing scheme covering 12 wards: Brooklands, Mawneys, Elm Park, Pettits, Gooshays, Rainham & Wennington, Harold Wood, Romford Town, Havering Park, South Hornchurch, Heaton and Squirrels Heath.
The second proposal is for a license covering four wards: Brooklands, Gooshays, Heaton and Romford Town. These wards have the highest numbers of HMOs out of the 12 wards that have been considered by Havering.
All houses of multiple occupations (HMOs) require a Mandatory HMO Licence, but the introduction of an Additional Licensing scheme would cover the HMO properties that are not covered by this licence. This licence requires a landlord and their property to meet specific standards including whether a landlord is ‘fit and proper’ to be a landlord. Additional licenses last up to five years.
Following a successful licensing consultation, the London Borough has suggested the following fee structure:
Option 1 – £900 (£675 for licence processing and £225 for enforcement)
Option 2 – £1180 (£950 for licence processing and £230 for enforcement)
The Council are hosting a number of drop-in sessions where council officers will be available to answer any questions about the scheme, as part of the consultation that ends 28th July 2017.
Tuesday 6th June 10.15am-1pm Harold Hill Library meeting Room
Wednesday 14th June 10.15am-1pm South Hornchurch Library
Tuesday 27th June 10.15am-1pm Romford Library first floor meeting room
Monday 3rd July 3.45pm-7.00pm Romford Library first floor meeting Room
Wednesday 12th July 10.15am-1.00pm Harold Hill Library meeting room
Thursday 20th July 4.15pm-7.00pm Romford Library first floor meeting room
General enquirers about this consultation should be directed towards the council, which can be contacted on phone: 01708 434116 and email: landlordlicensing@havering.gov.uk .
The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is urging its members to attend these events and get their views heard directly by representatives of the council.
The RLA will be replying to the consultation opposing the scheme, however, it advises its members send in an official response too.
To see the RLA’s reply to other consultations, including the informal consultation Havering held, click here.
Want to comment on this story? If so...if any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on any basis, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.
Join the conversation
Jump to latest comment and add your reply
council greed yet again
Please login to comment