Prospective landlords in a London borough may have to buy a licence off the council in future before they can even think of purchasing landlord insurance on their property, if plans put forward by a local councillor get the go ahead.
Councillors in Waltham Forest are considering making homeowners and letting agents in the borough register and get a licence before setting up business in a bid to cut down on anti-social behaviour that is plaguing the area. Councillors believe such a plan would reduce the number of rogue landlords in the area at a stroke which would in turn see better behaved tenants.
The move follows a similar plan in nearby Newham, although unpopular with landlords, and comes just after three landlords in the area were fined for breaking planning laws. Waltham Forest has one of the biggest renting populations of any council in England (34%) which is more than double the national average.
Although the original motion was put forward by Liberal Democrat Winnie Smith Labour Councillors supported a motion to explore such proposals last week in three local wards: Cathall, Leyton and Lea Bridge. The original motion has in fact been slightly changed but still managed to be pushed through and Winnie Smith still welcomed the move.
The council already runs a voluntary accreditation scheme that has over 1000 signatories but the new scheme, it is hoped, will deter rogue landlords such as those fined earlier this week. Councillor Clyde Loakes, cabinet member for environment, warned off any other landlords thinking of breaking the law, saying “I hope this sends a strong message to any landlords in the borough. We have an excellent enforcement team and an enviable success rate when it comes to prosecutions.”