WIREDGOV

Each month, we put together a list of Councils that are currently consulting on plans to introduce, renew or extend licensing schemes.

This month, several more licensing consultations have launched, in Islington and Wirral.

We recently reported on the Government rejecting proposals to introduce a licensing scheme in Stoke. We responded to the consultation on the plans, raising several concerns about them. You can read more about this here, and see below for our list of live licensing consultations.

Current licensing consultations

Brent- additional and selective licensing [Closes 25th August]

In Brent, as well as a mandatory licensing scheme being in operation, the council also operates a borough-wide ‘Additional licensing’ scheme which was introduced in 2014 for HMOs occupied by less than 5 people, and two Selective licensing schemes.

The current two selective licensing schemes cover the wards of: Harlesden, Willesden Green and Wembley Central; and the later scheme introduced in 2018 covers the wards of Dudden Hill, Kensal Green, Kilburn, Mapesbury and Queens Park.

Now, the Council is proposing to renew the additional licensing scheme for all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the borough which expires on 31 December 2019.

It is also proposing to renew the selective licensing scheme for three wards, Harlesden, Willesden Green and Wembley Central, which expires on 31 December 2019.

Brent Council also wants to extend selective licensing, so that it covers the wards of: Alperton, Barnhill, Brondesbury Park, Fryent, Northwick Park, Preston, Queensbury, Sudbury, Tokyngton (excluding Wembley Park) and Welsh Harp wards. This consultation closes on 25 Aug 2019. To read more about the plans and have your say, click here.

Rotherham-selective licensing [closes 8th September]

Rotherham Council is considering the future of Selective Licensing in Eastwood and Rotherham Town Centre, Masbrough, Dinnington and Maltby South East.  These current designations come to an end in April 2020 and the Council is consulting on proposals to designate parts of these again for a further 5 years.

The Council is also considering designating part of Little London in Maltby as a Selective Licensing Area. The consultation closes on 8th September 2019, and landlords are invited to have their say on the plans in an online survey here

Havering – additional licensing [Closes 20th September]

The London Borough of Havering is proposing to introduce an additional licensing scheme, which will add to the existing HMO licensing scheme that is already in force. The proposed scheme will include the remaining six wards in Havering that are not already covered, including Cranham, Upminster, St Andrews, Emerson Park, Hacton, and Hylands.

As well as introducing additional licensing, the Council is proposing to implement a selective licensing scheme in the wards of Romford Town and Brooklands. This means that if the scheme gets the go ahead, ALL private rented properties rented to a single family or household or two unrelated people, would be required to be licensed. This consultation closes on 20th September 2019 and landlords can respond to the consultation here.

Bassetlaw District Council-selective licensing [closes 10th October]

Bassetlaw District Council is consulting with local tenants, residents, landlords and letting agents over proposals to introduce Selective Licensing for privately rented housing in the designated areas of Worksop South East, Worksop Central and Worksop Sandy Lane. A full list of streets that would be covered by the proposed licensing scheme is available online here, as well as details on how to respond.

Wirral-selective licensing [closes 14th October]

Wirral Council is currently consulting on both re-designating four existing licensing areas due to expire at the end of June 2020 – Birkenhead South, Egerton North, Egremont Promenade South and Seacombe Library  
and extending selective licensing to two further areas (Egremont South and Tranmere Lairds) to help drive up the quality of rented accommodation in parts of Birkenhead and Wallasey. Have your say on the plans here.

Islington-additional licensing and selective licensing [closes 3rd November]

Islington council has opened a consultation on additional and selective licensing. The council is proposing to introduce borough-wide additional licensing, while the proposed selective licensing scheme will cover all the properties in the Finsbury Park ward that are not already covered by mandatory licensing. Landlords can read more about the consultation and have their say on the council’s website here.

The RLA’s recent consultation responses

The RLA aims to respond to all local authority licensing consultations. In August, we responded to Lewisham Council’s consultation on plans to introduce borough-wide licensing.