Around 530 properties are now registered with the council’s selective licensing scheme as landlords sign up early and save themselves hundreds of pounds.
Croydon Council launched a discounted £350 landlord licence earlier this month, which goes up to £750 per private rented property when the borough-wide scheme goes live on 1 October.
There are around 30,000 private rented properties in the borough, and the council is introducing the scheme to raise housing standards and tackle dodgy landlords who undercut their competitors on quality and price.
All applicants must prove they are fit and proper – and from October any Croydon private landlord who does not have a licence faces a heavy fine or prosecution.
A typical licence lasts five years, so landlords qualifying for the £350 early-bird discount will pay the equivalent of 19p a day. Most landlords applying from October will pay a one-off £750, but those failing to meet their licence conditions may have to pay £750 each year.
Any private landlord caught renting out a property without a licence from October will face fines of up to £20,000, while anyone breaking licence conditions can be prosecuted and fined up to £5,000.
“This is a great response in under a fortnight, and landlords who successfully apply early both save money and set the standard for others to follow.”
“The council’s cabinet approved the scheme in March in response to a rise in privately-rented properties, with negative consequences including antisocial behaviour and poor-quality homes.”
Councillor Alison Butler, deputy leader and cabinet member for homes, regeneration and planning
For more information, visit: www.croydon.gov.uk/betterplacetorent
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