Landlords and managing agents are being encouraged to get ready for two new landlord licensing schemes in Croydon, with applications opening on Friday 25 September.
From this date, selective licensing will apply to privately rented homes in 14 wards, whilst additional HMO licensing will apply across the borough to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) with three or four people from two or more households. Larger HMOs with five or more people are already covered by mandatory HMO licensing.
Around a third of homes in Croydon are privately rented, making the sector an important part of meeting local housing need. The new schemes are part of the Council’s wider work to improve the quality of housing across the borough.
The schemes will set clear standards for landlords and give the Council a better understanding of privately rented homes across Croydon, helping to identify where improvements are needed. For tenants, this will help make sure their homes are safe, well managed and maintained to the required standard.
To make sure landlords and managing agents have support when the new schemes start, the Council has appointed The Oyster Partnership to help facilitate the licensing service.
A dedicated team will process applications, check documents, answer questions and carry out property inspections where needed. They will also support landlords and managing agents through the application process.
Croydon Council will remain responsible for the schemes and will make the final decisions on licences. The Council will also remain responsible for enforcement.
A spokesperson for The Oyster Partnership said: “We’re looking forward to working with Croydon Council to deliver its landlord licensing schemes. Our role is to make the application process clear and straightforward, provide landlords and agents with the support they need, and make sure applications and inspections are handled efficiently.”
“Everyone in Croydon deserves a good quality home, and improving standards in the private rented sector is an important part of that.
“These new licensing schemes will help us raise standards for residents, whilst giving landlords clear information about what is expected of them and support through the application process.
“We want to work with landlords to help them get things right. That means making the process as clear as possible, helping them understand what they need to do and making sure support is available when they need it.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
Landlords and managing agents can already visit the Council’s website to check whether their property needs a licence, find out how much it will cost and what they will need to apply. Applications will open on Friday 25 September.
