Time running out for landlords
The early-bird deadline for landlords to apply for a new licence is looming and without one they could face fines of up to £30,000.
Landlords who are required to have a licence had to have one in place by July 1 with a period of grace and early bird discounts until Tuesday 1October.
After 1 October, a landlord who has an eligible property and has not made a full licence application, could be prosecuted for failing to comply.
Applications for the licences have been able to be obtained through an online portal.
Every landlord of a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in the borough, around 3000 properties, needed the new licence from July 1.
Under the new scheme a landlord with any rental property within the designated area covering parts of Chalvey and Central wards, was also required to apply for and obtain a licence.
The aim of the new licensing system brought in by Slough Borough Council is to improve the standards of the thousands of houses and bedsits, people’s homes, and make tenants safe.
Landlords have to provide evidence their property is safe and has a valid gas safe certificate. They will also be required to provide contact details so tenants can get problems fixed and for neighbours to address any concerns with the house in their neighbourhood.
Slough has more than the national average of rental accommodation in the borough which currently stands at 33 per cent. In the Central and Chalvey wards 50 per cent of all homes are privately rented accommodation.
Cllr Mohammed Nazir, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “Landlords have had months to log on to this system and apply for a licence they are required to have by law.
“We are committed to making sure all landlords who are required to, have a licence, so tenants live in good quality and safe accommodation, get one otherwise we will be seeking them out and prosecuting.
“This is not a money making scheme for the council. The fees are being ring fenced for the sole purpose of bringing up standards of properties in Slough.”
“This is about making accommodation in Slough habitable for sometimes the most vulnerable members of society.”
In addition, if a landlord is required to have obtained a licence and has not, tenants have the right to claim any rent they have paid since July 1. Eviction notices are also invalid if served by a landlord without a licence.
In the Additional Licence scheme each HMO property of up to six rooms will attract a £450 licence. There will be an additional charge of £30 per extra room after the initial six.
Applications for the Selective Licensing Scheme, for all rental properties within a designated area, will be subject to a charge of just £200.
All licences last for five years.
After October 1 all licences will attract an additional enforcement fee of £300 per property.
Licences can be applied for here http://www.slough.gov.uk/business/licences-and-permits/property-licensing.aspx and there is a map online which shows which roads are included in the selective licensing scheme.
Landlords who are required to have a licence had to have one in place by July 1 with a period of grace and early bird discounts until Tuesday 1October.
After 1 October, a landlord who has an eligible property and has not made a full licence application, could be prosecuted for failing to comply.
Applications for the licences have been able to be obtained through an online portal.
Every landlord of a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in the borough, around 3000 properties, needed the new licence from July 1.
Under the new scheme a landlord with any rental property within the designated area covering parts of Chalvey and Central wards, was also required to apply for and obtain a licence.
The aim of the new licensing system brought in by Slough Borough Council is to improve the standards of the thousands of houses and bedsits, people’s homes, and make tenants safe.
Landlords have to provide evidence their property is safe and has a valid gas safe certificate. They will also be required to provide contact details so tenants can get problems fixed and for neighbours to address any concerns with the house in their neighbourhood.
Slough has more than the national average of rental accommodation in the borough which currently stands at 33 per cent. In the Central and Chalvey wards 50 per cent of all homes are privately rented accommodation.
Cllr Mohammed Nazir, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “Landlords have had months to log on to this system and apply for a licence they are required to have by law.
“We are committed to making sure all landlords who are required to, have a licence, so tenants live in good quality and safe accommodation, get one otherwise we will be seeking them out and prosecuting.
“This is not a money making scheme for the council. The fees are being ring fenced for the sole purpose of bringing up standards of properties in Slough.”
“This is about making accommodation in Slough habitable for sometimes the most vulnerable members of society.”
In addition, if a landlord is required to have obtained a licence and has not, tenants have the right to claim any rent they have paid since July 1. Eviction notices are also invalid if served by a landlord without a licence.
In the Additional Licence scheme each HMO property of up to six rooms will attract a £450 licence. There will be an additional charge of £30 per extra room after the initial six.
Applications for the Selective Licensing Scheme, for all rental properties within a designated area, will be subject to a charge of just £200.
All licences last for five years.
After October 1 all licences will attract an additional enforcement fee of £300 per property.
Licences can be applied for here http://www.slough.gov.uk/business/licences-and-permits/property-licensing.aspx and there is a map online which shows which roads are included in the selective licensing scheme.
