July licensing update for landlords

6 Jul 2020 01:23 PM

Our licensing blog this month takes a look ahead to the licensing schemes that are due to be introduced in the coming months, plus details on some local authorities that have extended consultation deadlines due to the coronavirus.

Durham licensing scheme consultation extended to August due to coronavirus

It was confirmed this month that a consultation on plans to introduce a selective licensing scheme covering several areas of Durham has been extended again as a result of coronavirus. Landlords now have until August 2 2020 to respond to the plans.

Durham County Council is proposing to introduce a selective licensing scheme that it estimates will affect approximately 51,000 private rented properties.

In last month’s licensing blog, we reported on the landlords in Durham who have put forward an alternative licensing scheme to the one being proposed by the council.

You can read more about Durham PLuSS’ alternative scheme and sign up here. The NRLA will be responding to this consultation.

Newcastle extends licensing scheme compliance deadline to October

Newcastle City Council has extended the deadline for landlords to comply with two licensing schemes introduced in April, for a second time.

Landlords who have rental properties in the designated areas will now have until 5th October 2020 to comply. Newcastle City Council originally announced the date for compliance for the schemes had been extended until the 6th July 2020, adding that this deadline was ‘under continuous review due to the Covid-19 pandemic’. Read more about the new extension here.

Licensing schemes due to be introduced soon

Hounslow HMO licensing scheme to come into force in August

All houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in the London Borough of Hounslow that do not already fall under the scope of mandatory licensing will be required to obtain an additional HMO licence.

A new additional HMO licensing scheme is due to come into force in the borough on 1st August 2020, and landlords with HMOs in the borough must obtain a licence in order to continue to let their property out lawfully.

Landlords can read more about this licensing scheme and apply for a licence by visiting the council’s webpage here.

Luton selective licensing scheme to come into force in August

Finally, in Luton a selective licensing scheme is due to come into effect on 1st August. Landlords with properties in the wards of Biscot and Dallow will be required to obtain a licence in order to continue to let the property out lawfully.

The selective licensing scheme will also apply to some rental properties in parts of Hightown, Farley and South wards-landlords can check a postcode checker on Luton Council’s website, to see if their rental property falls into the scope of the new licensing scheme-or not.