In a bid to protect tenants and crack down on rogue landlords, the Government have agreed on a five-year Property Licensing Scheme with Barking and Dagenham Council.
The borough-wide scheme means that every privately rented property in Barking and Dagenham will need to be licensed and comply with strict conditions to ensure each property is safe and properly managed.
Currently, the Council has a Private Rented Property and additional House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing Scheme; however, this will end on 31 August 2019 and be replaced by the borough-wide, five-year Property Licensing Scheme which will start on 1 September 2019.
This new scheme will mean approximately 20,000 renters will be protected from rogue landlords in the private rental sector.
Since their introduction five years ago, the current licensing schemes have helped to ensure that homes are safe and in good condition for renters.
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.
“Everyone deserves a decent and safe home and we will continue to drive up standards in Barking and Dagenham to protect our tenants, ensuring that no one is left behind – and we will come down hard on landlords who feel they can put profit before people.”
