Important Update: New Selective Licensing Scheme Coming to Lewisham Borough - 1 July 2024
We are reaching out to inform you of a significant change in the housing regulations within Lewisham Borough. Starting 1 July 2024, a new selective licensing scheme will be implemented, aiming to improve the standard of private rental properties and ensure safer, more secure housing for our community.
From Lewisham Council:
Our proposals for a selective licensing scheme to cover nearly all privately rented properties in the borough received approval from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) in December 2023. The new scheme will come into effect on 1 July 2024.
The new scheme will cover an additional 20,000 properties in the borough and nearly all privately rented properties in Lewisham not currently covered by the existing licensing schemes for Houses of Multiple Occupations (HMOs) will need a licence under the new scheme.
The Council will work closely with landlords and tenants in the borough to ensure they are aware of the their responsibilities and rights under the new licensing scheme. More information about how to apply for a license will be published shortly, including how to check if your property will be within the designation.
Questions From Landlords
Do I need a licence for my rental property?
If you're not a Registered Provider of Social Housing or a Registered Social Landlord, you'll likely need a selective licence for your rental properties in Lewisham. This includes properties let under a single tenancy or those with multiple tenancies in different units. Additionally, properties rented to three or more people forming two or more separate households require a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence.
I have lodgers; do I need a licence?
Lodger arrangements, where you share facilities with the lodgers in your own home, do not require a selective licence. However, if you have three or more lodgers, your property may be classified as an HMO, and you'll need the appropriate HMO licence.
I have multiple properties; does each one need a licence?
Yes, each property under the Selective and HMO schemes requires its own licence. The schemes licence properties, not landlords, so if you own or manage multiple properties, each must be licenced individually.
What documents do I need to apply for a selective licence?
The application for a selective licence requires the following documents:
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
Gas Safety Certificate, if applicable, or a declaration of no gas supply
How much does a selective licence cost?
The basic fee for a selective licence is £640, divided into two parts: £160 upon application and £480 upon granting. Discounts are available for early applications, accredited landlords, and eligible charities, applied to the second payment. Accreditation must be verified through membership in recognised associations such as the London Landlord Accreditation Scheme (LLAS) or the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), among others.
Can I rent out my property without a selective licence?
It is illegal to rent out a property without a selective licence unless it falls under specific exemptions. Violations can lead to prosecution, fines, and Civil Penalty Notices up to £30,000. Legal rental can commence once an application for a licence is made. Unlicensed rental exposes landlords to Rent Repayment Orders and restricts the use of "no fault" eviction procedures.
Who is the “licence holder”?
The licence holder is the designated individual or organisation named on the licence, responsible for ensuring compliance with licence conditions and property management. Typically, this should be the property owner or a significant rent recipient, but anyone deemed 'fit and proper' can be appointed. Non-UK residents must appoint a local agent who is prepared to be bound by the terms of the license and has access to funds for any necessary repairs that may be ordered by the council.
Should you have any inquiries or need further clarification on the above, please feel free to reach out to me via WhatsApp. I'll make sure to respond at my earliest convenience
Neil Raja
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