Clamping down on bad landlords and providing more support for people who privately rent are part of Croydon Council’s proposals to introduce two new landlord licensing schemes in the borough.
They come as part of Croydon’s five-year Housing Strategy 2024-2029 which sets out how the Council will make sure housing in both the private and social housing sector is well-managed and safe.
The first of the proposed schemes is a selective licensing scheme to improve poor property conditions. This would require all private landlords in 14 wards to hold a Croydon property licence and to meet certain requirements. Conditions of each licence would include making sure properties are fit for purpose, providing evidence of fire safety and proper tenancy agreements, and would include six monthly inspections of properties.
The licence would also force landlords to take action against bad tenants, not ignoring situations that often impact on neighbourhoods. Landlords would be supported by the Council to deal with these difficult situations. Breaking licence conditions would see landlords facing fines or prosecution.
The wards proposed for a licensing scheme include over 32,000 privately rented properties, 74% of the borough’s total. The wards are: Addiscombe East, Addiscombe West, Bensham Manor, Broad Green, Fairfield, Norbury and Pollards Hill, Norbury Park, Selhurst, South Croydon, South Norwood, Thornton Heath, Waddon, West Thornton and Woodside.
The Council is also proposing an additional scheme for homes of multiple occupation (HMO). This would extend the national mandatory scheme that applies to large HMOs, to include smaller HMOs and is again focused on tackling poor property conditions and poor property management.
The Council will be asking tenants, landlords, managing agents and anyone with an interest to give their views on the proposals in a consultation which is set to go live next month.
“All residents in Croydon should be able to live in safe, secure, warm and dry homes. As part of our work to improve housing standards across the borough we have done much to improve social housing. This proposal is about looking to use Council powers to do what we can to drive up standards in the private rented sector too.
“We have many responsible landlords in Croydon – this scheme will evidence their professionalism and highlight those who are irresponsible and currently bringing down the reputation of the sector in the borough. I encourage anyone with an interest to take part in the consultation when it launches next month.
“We know that poor housing conditions and irresponsible landlords can have a devastating impact on residents’ health, wellbeing, and life chances. That’s why we are proposing to introduce a new landlord licensing scheme in the borough.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
