Ealing Council’s new private rented property licensing scheme came into force yesterday (Tuesday, 3 January), in a bid to drive up standards in homes across the borough.

The new selective licensing scheme is the largest of its kind in west London and will apply to all privately let properties in 12 wards. You can view the map showing the area covered and look up the postcodes here.

With the proportion of the borough’s homes in the private rented sector increasing by 65% in the last 10 years, the council has committed to ensuring that private renters have access to safe, secure and decent homes.

Landlords who submit applications for the new licensing scheme from 3 January – 3 April could receive a generous 25% discount on the licence fee, in addition to further reductions for accredited landlords.  

Information about Ealing’s private rented property licensing schemes and guidance on how to apply can be found on the council’s private rented property licensing web page, with a step by step guide alongside frequently asked questions. Landlords are also encouraged to attend an application training session, taking place on 11 January. The previous online session, held in December was fully booked, so early registration for the next session is advised. You can find out more about the session and register your place here.

Councillor Shital Manro, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for good growth said: “Supporting our most vulnerable residents continues to be a priority for the council. As we move forward into a new year, we are doing all that we can to provide support to those most badly hit by the cost-of-living crisis and ensure that they are not taken advantage of.

“We have taken significant action to address problems in privately rented properties since the start of our previous licensing scheme, including serving over 800 enforcement notices, but there is still much work to do.

“Whilst the majority of Ealing landlords provide tenants with decent, well-maintained homes, there are a minority few that take advantage. Sadly, our officers continue to uncover cases where tenants are living in appallingly unsafe and dangerous conditions. That is why we have increased the areas covered by our licensing schemes, ensuring that we can protect more tenants and drive out criminal landlords.

“We are committed to reducing health and social inequality and want to ensure that people from all backgrounds can access safer and more secure homes, regardless of tenure. Property licensing will help us achieve this.”

You can find out more about private rented property licensing in the borough by visiting the council’s website.