Lambeth selective licensing scheme goes borough-wide
Council has given the ‘green light’ to extend its selective licensing scheme to 23 of the borough’s 25 wards from four.
The London Borough of L ambeth is to extendis its selective licensing scheme to cover the majority of its wards (23 of 25) in a drive to ensure the area is ‘fit for the future’ Councillor Mahamed Hashi (pictured) has said.
An initial selective licensing scheme was introduced in September of this year, covering just four wards in the council’s bid to ‘improve property conditions and management, and tackle problems including anti-social behaviour (ASB) and deprivation’.
50,000 homes
The four-ward scheme has already had more than a thousand sign-ups. The revenue it is generating is yet to be revealed but with around 50,000 homes in the PRS in Lambeth, there is likely to be a substantial increase when it goes borough-wide.
It is all part of that Lambeth’s plan to ensure it is ‘fit for the future’ and is ‘somewhere that people want to call home’ and ‘one of the safest boroughs in London by 2030’.
We believe good quality housing is a right.”
Hashi says: “We believe good quality housing is a right. Private renting is often the only option for residents who can’t access social housing.
“Whilst most landlords provide good, safe accommodation, there are some who take advantage of tenants, or don’t know what their responsibilities are. That is why it’s important that the full range of powers is not only available to the council, but readily used.
“We are committed to working with good landlords, helping them understand the legislative requirements; but we’re also committed to tackling those landlords that refuse to provide safe and healthy housing for tenants in Lambeth.”
