Your local licensing update for June
May has seen some important announcements around new licensing schemes set to come into force in the Autumn.
Tower Hamlets Council has approved a replacement selective licensing scheme in the west of the borough. The current selective licensing scheme has been in place since 2016, but this scheme will expire in September. Following a consultation, the new selective licensing scheme is due to come in effect on 1st October.
A selective licensing scheme was also recently approved in Enfield. The scheme required permission from both the council cabinet and the Government to get the go ahead. The selective licensing designation will apply to 14 wards across the borough of Enfield, coming into force on 1st September 2021.
Members can learn more about new licensing schemes by using the NRLA’s interactive Licensing 365 tool. More information about responding to consultations is also available in the NRLA’s toolkit, exclusive for members. The councils currently consulting on licensing are listed below.
Current consultations
Walsall Council-additional HMO licensing (closes 6th June)
Walsall Borough Council is currently consulting on proposals to introduce an additional HMO licensing scheme in the wards of Palfrey, St Matthews, Paddock and Pleck.
As part of these proposals, the council says the average licence will cost around £675 for a five-year period, and there will be both an ‘early bird’ discount and reduced fee for those landlords who are properly accredited. You can read more about the proposals and respond directly to this consultation.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea – borough wide additional HMO licensing consultation (closes 20th June)
The council is proposing to introduce an additional HMO licensing scheme that, if approved, would apply to all HMOs in the borough that do not already fall into the scope of mandatory licensing.
Residents and landlords are invited to share their views on the plans in a survey which will run for twelve weeks. Take the survey here.
York - additional HMO licensing consultation (closes 27th June)
City of York Council is seeking views on a proposal to introduce an additional licensing scheme for HMOs in some areas of the city.
Should the scheme be approved, it would affect properties in the wards of Hull Road, Guildhall, Fishergate, Clifton, Heworth, Michlegate, Osbaldwick & Derwent and Fulford of Heslington. View the proposals and share your feedback.
Southwark-selective and additional licensing consultation (closes 28th June)
Two property licensing schemes finished at the end of 2020 in Southwark, and the council has now launched a consultation on plans to introduce both a selective licensing scheme and an additional licensing scheme in the London borough.
The council is proposing a five-year selective licensing scheme, made up of four proposed designations potentially to be implemented in two phases.
The proposed additional HMO licensing scheme would also run for five years and would apply to all HMOs in the borough of Southwark that are not already covered by the government’s mandatory HMO scheme. Have your say directly in the consultation and learn more about the proposals.
Wrexham-additional HMO licensing consultation (closes 18th July)
An additional licensing scheme that is currently in force in some parts of Wrexham is due to end on 31st October 2021, and the council is currently consulting on proposals to introduce a new additional licensing scheme there, again to last for five years. If the plans are approved the scheme would start in November. Have your say in this consultation.
Ealing- additional HMO licensing and selective licensing consultation (closes 2nd August)
A consultation is currently being run by Ealing Council on plans to introduce a new additional licensing scheme which if approved will apply to all HMOs across the borough. The council is also consulting on plans to introduce a new selective licensing scheme which will apply to all privately rented properties in 15 wards of the borough. Learn more and have your say on these plans, read the council’s webpages and have your say in a short survey.
