Croydon council has unveiled a new licensing scheme to improve private rented accommodation for tenants across the borough.
The proposed selective licensing scheme is part of the “Don’t Mess with Croydon” campaign to clean up the borough by improving conditions in the private rented sector. Every private landlord will be required to obtain a licence, for which they will have to demonstrate that they have met a series of health and safety standards.
The scheme will also require “fit and proper” checks of landlords for any criminal convictions.
Landlords that rent out a property without a licence face fines of up to £20,000, while those that fail to comply with licence conditions can be prosecuted and fined up to £5,000.
The council’s cabinet will be asked to approve launching a consultation on the proposals when it meets on 30 June.
In the past four years the number of complaints received by the council concerning private rented housing standards has more than doubled from 630 in 2010/11 to 1,371 in 2013/14.
Alison Butler, council cabinet member for homes and regeneration, said: “This council is determined to improve the quality of homes for all and this scheme will provide a range of benefits and drive up standards in the private rental sector.”
annabel.dixon@estatesgazette.com
