In a bid to tackle unlicensed landlords and to improve housing, reduce anti-social behaviour and make the borough safer, The Royal Borough of Greenwich has taken action by way of financial penalties.
Over the last year, the council has levied a total of 70 Civil Penalty Notices amounting to over £167,000 to landlords or managing agents of properties that were not licenced.
This is all part of an ongoing commitment the council is making to proactively investigate unlicensed properties through letters and door knocking.
Landlords and tenants in the borough are being advised to “take action” to ensure their properties are licenced and regulated.
Renting a property without a licence is a criminal offence and any landlord without a licence could face serious financial implications or prosecution.
Landlords are advised to apply for a property licence online by visiting greenwich.metastreet.co.uk.
Currently Greenwich Council offers landlords three types of licences for private rental properties in the borough.
These include the Mandatory House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licence, which applies to larger properties rented to five or more people from two or more households.
The Additional HMO Licence is required for smaller shared properties, occupied by up to four people from different households, who share basic facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
The Selective Licence applies to any property rented to a single household within specific areas — Charlton Village and Riverside, Woolwich Dockyard, Woolwich Common, Shooters Hill, Plumstead Common, and Plumstead and Glyndon wards.
Landlords are advised to check whether their address falls under the Selective Licensing Scheme.
Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement said: “It’s in every landlord’s best interest to obtain a licence that is appropriate for their property before enforcement action is taken – the conditions of the licence act as a guide for landlords, making them aware of good practice.
“If any tenant believes that the property that they live in is unlicensed, then it’s important they pass this concern onto their landlord to take action and to let us know.”
