In its drive to improve the condition and quality of private rented accommodation in Croydon and to create a fairer environment for both tenants and responsible landlords, the Council is consulting on two new licensing schemes.

Property licensing is a way of ensuring safer and better standards in private rented homes. It is an important part of Croydon’s five-year Housing Strategy 2024-2029 and key to Executive Mayor Jason Perry to help make sure tenants live in safe, secure, warm and dry homes.

Nationally the private rented sector currently makes up 19% of the total housing stock in England. Currently, 31.2% of Croydon’s housing stock is privately rented making it significantly higher than the rest of the country. This is expected to continue to rise in the future.

Croydon already administers the national mandatory homes of multiple occupation (HMO) licensing scheme for large HMOs and is looking to extend the beneficial, proactive approach across the rest of the private rented sector.

The first proposed scheme is a selective licensing scheme to improve poor property conditions. This would require 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 proactive inspections of properties.

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 also focused on tackling poor property conditions and poor property management.

If approved at Cabinet next year, these schemes could be in place by mid-2026.

Before decisions are made on introducing the schemes, the Council is working with independent research agency, M·E·L Research Ltd to consult on the proposals.

The 12-week consultation will run from Tuesday 21 October to Monday 12 January 2026, and is available on M.E.L Research’s website.

“It’s important that we as a Council do what we can to make sure all residents live in good quality homes. Licensing schemes like we are proposing allow the Council to be more proactive when it comes to the private rented market and not just be reliant on tenants complaining about issues.

“Licensing can also be beneficial for landlords who will get support from the Council to deal with difficult situations and take action against bad tenants.

“We now want to hear the views of all those likely to be affected by the proposals, including local tenants, landlords, managing agents and members of the community who live, operate businesses or provide services in the proposed designated areas and/or the surrounding areas. I encourage anyone with an interest to get involved and have their say during the consultation.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon