Licensing of Private Rented AccommodationZulfiqar Mulak –Head of Private Sector Housing 020 8496 2214 zulfiqar.mulak@walthamforest.gov.uk

Selective Licensing -Update Since last Landlord Forum

•Formal Consultation ended 24th January -1,534 responses 324 from landlords/managing agents, 1,160 from residents.•Alternative Proposal received from Waltham Landlords and further work done via independent company(Mayhew associates) •Further Benchmarking Done with other Local Authorities •All representations considered and report to cabinet in June 2014•Decision Approved by Councillors at the Cabinet meeting on 24th June 2014 – Effective from April 2015•Decision on Fees determined•Formal public Notices published in Waltham Forest News, Yellow Advertiser , in local Libraries

Selective Licensing -Next Steps • Now moving into implementation phase.

• Objective is for applications to be taken from January 2015 with Early Bird Discount for 3 months from Go Live (exact date to be confirmed)

• Scheme informed by some basic principles:• As simple as possible - for landlords

• Emphasis on self-certification• Targeted validation and tough with misrepresentation

• Balanced against the information needed to meet scheme objectives• On-line application and payment

• Annual review

Selective Licensing -Next Steps • Begin detailed work on exactly how the scheme will operate

• Implement the commitments given in the Cabinet report

• To design the operation of the scheme we need to:• Determine administrative policies• Design processes• Implement the IT system• Provide information and guidance for landlords and tenants

• These details have not yet been determined.

• Continue information to and dialogue with Landlords throughout the process

How will Selective Licensing operate?

• Communication and information campaign to encourage applications from Landlords and inform Tenants

• Landlord guides and FAQs on making an application

• Support for Landlords who want to work with the council to improve the quality of life for our residents

• Set up a Landlords Focus Group on issues affecting the PRS

• Targeted approach for individual properties prioritised on unlicensed premises, high ASB, disrepair and enviro-crime issues.

• Carry out compliance checks on licensed premises and validation checks on information provided on applications over a 5 year period

Questions?

Questions

Please send all correspondence to us at:selective.licensing@walthamforest.gov.uk