In London, local councils use Selective and Additional Licensing schemes to regulate the private rental market, ensuring tenant safety and improving housing conditions. These schemes aim to address challenges such as overcrowding, anti-social behavior, and poor property management in the private rented sector (PRS).
This article explains the purpose, requirements, and implementation of these licensing schemes across London boroughs.
Selective Licensing applies to all private rental properties within designated areas, regardless of property size or occupancy.
Purpose:
Examples of Selective Licensing in London:
Several boroughs, including Barking & Dagenham, Brent, Newham, and Southwark, have introduced borough-wide or area-specific Selective Licensing schemes to address these issues.
Additional Licensing targets smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) that fall outside the scope of mandatory HMO licensing.
Purpose:
Examples of Additional Licensing in London:
Boroughs such as Camden, Hackney, and Lewisham have introduced Additional Licensing schemes to tackle HMO-related challenges.
| Aspect | Selective Licensing | Additional Licensing |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Applies to all private rental properties in designated areas. | Targets HMOs not covered by mandatory HMO licensing. |
| Focus | General PRS regulation. | HMO-specific regulation. |
| Typical Issues Addressed | Anti-social behavior, poor property management. | Overcrowding, inadequate facilities, safety concerns. |
For both schemes, landlords must:
Landlords operating unlicensed properties or failing to comply with licensing conditions can face:
Navigating Selective and Additional Licensing requirements across London boroughs can be challenging. Fraser Bond offers expert services to help landlords:
Stay ahead of licensing regulations with Fraser Bond. Contact us today to ensure your rental properties are fully compliant and professionally managed.
