The Government has agreed a five-year property licensing scheme with Barking and Dagenham council, in a move that will offer a huge boost to the regions battle to crack down on rogue landlords and offer more protection to renters.
Over the last five years, private rented homes have been the fastest growing housing provision in the borough. Making up 27 per cent of the borough’s housing.
The scheme is the only one of its kind that has been approved by the Government and means that every privately rented property within both Barking and Dagenham will be required to hold a license and comply with strict rules, to ensure each property is safe and managed correctly.
It will allow the approximate 20,000 houses in the borough which are privately rented to be protected from rogue landlords and allow people to rent a property knowing the building is safe to live in having met the required conditions.
Currently, the council has a Private Rented Property and additional HMO Licensing Scheme which will end on 31 August 2019. This will then be replaced by the five-year Property Licensing Scheme which will start on 1 September 2019.
Since their introduction five years ago, the current licensing schemes have helped to reduce antisocial behaviour and enabled the Council to stamp out criminal activity among rogue landlords.
Barking and Dagenham council has instigated 70 prosecutions, served 570 enforcement notices requiring properties to be made safe and undertaken over 100 operations to ensure properties are regulated and safe.
Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “It is fantastic news that the Government has approved our new Property Licensing Scheme for five years, right across the borough – the first of this kind to be given government approval anywhere.
“It will be a key weapon in our continuing fight to improve standards in the private rented sector. We are absolutely determined to protect our tenants, making sure they live in safe homes that are in good condition and well managed.”
