Coming soon - new landlord licencing schemes will drive up standards in private rented homes

Landlords will be able to apply for their required licenses from 1 July. Check how these changes will impact your property on our website.

Borough-wide landlord licencing will apply to homes with three or more people from different households (also known as HMOs), as well as a further scheme for all private rented homes in Furzedown, South Balham, Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway areas.

These schemes provide robust protections for tenants as part of the council’s commitment to renters across the borough. Private landlords in these areas will be required to meet our standards on aspects such as health and safety, living conditions and room sizes. Landlords will also be required to protect deposits in a government-backed scheme.

Once they have come into effect, landlords operating without suitable licences could face prosecution or financial penalties of up to £30,000. Tenants may be eligible to reclaim 12 months’ rent, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit if an offence is committed. 

Aydin Dikerdem, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:

“Wandsworth has one of the highest proportions of renters in the country. Yet many don’t know who they can turn to if things start to go wrong. Our new licensing scheme will give the council more robust powers to inspect and intervene in cases where landlords are not living up to their duties.

“This will help us to crack down on rogue landlords, while providing renters with more support and protecting their fundamental rights."

More information on the schemes can be found on the council’s website: wandsworth.gov.uk/landlord-licences