A consultation has been launched by Hackney Council over its plans to extend its licensing scheme to include almost every single privately rented home in the borough.

The proposals include a blanket, borough-wide Additional Licensing Scheme covering HMOs containing three or four people from two or more households.

81% of wards

In addition, the borough’s selective Licensing Scheme for privately rented properties that are occupied by one or two people, or single-family households, would be extended to cover 17 of the borough’s 21 wards.

The schemes would run for five years, and the proposed licence application fees would be £925 for a single-family home and £1,400 for an HMO, which represent substantial increases from the previous scheme’s costs.

Almost 1 in 3 homes in Hackney are privately rented.”

According to the council, the changes are necessary because: “Almost 1 in 3 homes in Hackney are privately rented. While many landlords provide safe and well-maintained properties, too many renters still face unacceptable conditions, from serious hazards to poor property management.

Licensing is one of the most effective tools the Council has to improve housing conditions, tackle anti-social behaviour and protect tenants.”

And Hackney’s Mayor, Caroline Woodley (pictured), adds the schemes: “Would allow us to regulate the majority of private rented homes in the borough and build a network of responsible landlords.”

feedback

The consultation process will remain open until Sunday, 21 September 2025, and the council is inviting private renters, landlords, letting agents and local residents to provide feedback on its proposals.

If the schemes are approved, they would make Hackney one of the most tightly regulated rental markets in the country. The borough’s own track record in the area, though, is far from impressive.  As reported in The Neg, Hackney was named and shamed in a recent report by the Property Ombudsman – Learning from severe maladministration –  for the poor condition of its housing stock.