Wandsworth Council is launching a borough-wide landlord licensing scheme to improve living conditions and tenant protections in the private rented sector.
The scheme will apply to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) with three or more people from different households and all privately rented homes in Furzedown, South Balham, Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway.
Aydin Dikerdem, Wandsworth Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Wandsworth has one of the highest proportions of renters in the country.
“Yet many don’t know who they can turn to if things start to go wrong.
“Our new licensing scheme will give the council more robust powers to inspect and intervene in cases where landlords are not living up to their duties.
“This will help us to crack down on rogue landlords, while providing renters with more support and protecting their fundamental rights.”
Landlords will be able to apply for the required licences from July 1.
The scheme sets out standards for health and safety, living conditions, and room size, and requires landlords to protect deposits in a government-backed scheme.
Operating without a licence could result in prosecution or financial penalties of up to £30,000.
Tenants could also be eligible to reclaim up to 12 months’ rent, Housing Benefit, or Universal Credit if their landlord is found to be in breach of the scheme.
The council said the measures are part of its commitment to improving housing quality and safeguarding renters across the borough, where more than a third of residents rent privately.
Further details about the new licensing requirements and how they affect landlords and tenants are available on the council’s website.
