Newham Property Licensing Consultation - ends 26 January 2022

 

(Housing matters in Newham. Especially the Private Rental Sector. Take part in this really important consultation and let us try and keep and even extend the existing safeguards in Newham). 

Renewal of private rented property licensing schemes in Newham

"I am pleased to write to you with news of our statutory consultation on the possible renewal of our private rented sector (PRS) property licensing schemes in Newham.  As a valued stakeholder for our borough, I wanted to contact you directly and invite you to share your views on our property licensing schemes.

 

Why licensing matters

 PRS licensing is hugely important to our borough and residents. Our licensing of more than 40,000 properties has proved a crucial tool for the Council to ensure safe, secure, and well-managed privately rented homes in Newham.

 

Since 2013, our property licensing schemes have assisted in the recovery of £2.5 million in unpaid Council Tax, led to Rent Repayment Orders in excess of  £350,000 from unlicensed landlords, and supported 1100 prosecutions, all of which has helped to drive out criminal landlords while improving housing services for our most vulnerable residents.  Since 2018, licensing has also helped the Council to invest in relationships with landlords and tenants, as we have dealt with more than 95,000 requests and contacts from landlords or tenants and carried out 15,300 inspections and audits.

 

Objectives of the consultation

 We want to consult as widely as possible to ensure we develop a comprehensive understanding of how our PRS schemes are affecting residents, businesses, and property owners in Newham. I would be grateful if you could share information regarding our Consultation across your network and encourage anyone affected or interested in PRS property licensing to respond.

I would also like to encourage you to take the time to read the consultation proposal documents located on the survey page on https://melresearch.co.uk/newhamprs and at https://melresearch.co.uk/media/upload/files/RPL-Consultation-Proposal-NovV21-091121.pdf covering the latest statistics for the different Newham wards and deprivation indices.

We would appreciate hearing from you directly and/or you can respond to the consultation via this link, or the QR code (located on the next page): www.newham.gov.uk/propertylicensingconsultation. 

Please note that you have until 26th January 2022 to give your views.

To view the Council’s press release regarding our property licensing consultation please follow the link:

https://www.newham.gov.uk/news/article/743/newham-council-opens-consultations-into-groundbreaking-property-licensing-scheme

Helen Masterson
Head of Private Sector Housing Standards
London Borough of Newham"