A new law requiring landlords in three wards in the London Borough of Brent to pay for a selective licence will come into force on 1 August 2023.
Landlords who rent out properties in Dollis Hill, Harlesden & Kensal Green and Willesden Green, will legally be required to have a licence from the start of next month.
A licence will cost £640 for up to five years. Anyone who applied in the next few weeks before 1 August will be able to purchase a licence at the current rate of £540.
Dollis Hill, Harlesden & Kensal Green and Willesden Green were selected for licensing following a borough-wide consultation that began in autumn 2022. A report to cabinet members showed that a selective licensing scheme would have a positive impact on poor property conditions and high levels of antisocial behaviour in the three areas.
Cllr Promise Knight, cabinet member for housing, homelessness and renters’ security, said: “The landlords who work with us take pride in renting out properties that offer decent facilities and living conditions to tenants. The licensing scheme supports landlords in offering the best they can to tenants, ensuring that tenants’ safety and security are protected.
“We encourage landlords and agents with properties in Dollis Hill, Harlesden & Kensal Green and Willesden Green to apply for a licence as soon as possible.”
Kerching! Council tills are a ringin’
Next headline? “Rents increase above average in Borough of Brent, kahn demands rent controls!”
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I’m not actually against licensing per se, and £600 for 5 years is not an exorbitant amount. I would questions what the Landlord gets out of this however? Licensed Landlords/Agents get priority in Court for possession warrants over unlicensed, as you can’t stop them from getting justice even if the landlord gets fined for being unlicensed afterwards? A dedicated helpline specifically for Landlords/Agents to get help with ASB or UC rent arrears?
Otherwise this is just another tax on Landlords.
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