Ealing Council’s new private rented property licensing scheme that adds wards including Acton Central, Greenford Green, Hanger Hill, and Perivale is now in force this week as the council seeks to improve the quality of rented homes in the borough offered by private landlords.
The additional 12 wards – Acton Central (which no longer since May 2022 but the boundaries of the area are still covered), Dormers Wells, Greenford Broadway, Greenford Green, Hanger Hill, Hobbayne, Lady Margaret, North Greenford, Northolt Mandeville, Northolt West End, Perivale and South Acton, follow three others – East Acton, Southall Broadway and Southall Green.
Landlords are being advised by the council to visit its private rented property licensing web page, to find out more about what is required. There is also an online training event for landlords to find out how to apply which is taking place from 1pm to 2pm on 11 January 2023. More details and to book a place can be found here.
According to the council there are discounts also being offered. Applications received until 3 April 2023 may receive a 25% discount off the £750 licence fee. Landlords and managing agents who are members of certain accreditation schemes may receive a £75 discount. Properties with EPC ratings of C and above may receive an additional £50 discount.
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.”
He added: “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.”
EALING.NEWS has contacted Ealing Council for a comment to find out when it plans to roll out the scheme to other wards across the borough.
