Purpose

The Cabinet will be asked to
approve two new property licensing schemes for private rented homes
in Barking & Dagenham: a replacement selective licensing scheme
for single-family homes and an additional House in Multiple
Occupation (HMO) scheme for smaller shared homes exempt from
mandatory licensing. These schemes aim to raise standards in the
private rented sector and ensure safe, decent housing for all
renters in the borough.

Content

The Cabinet will be asked to
approve two new property licensing schemes for private rented homes
in Barking & Dagenham: a replacement selective licensing scheme
for single-family homes and an additional House in Multiple
Occupation (HMO) scheme for smaller shared homes exempt from
mandatory licensing. These schemes aim to raise standards in the
private rented sector and ensure safe, decent housing for all
renters in the borough.

Cabinet resolved to:
 
(i)  Note the
Property Licensing Consultation 2024 Proposal and
Evidence Report, the Property Licensing Consultation 2024 Outcome
Report, the Proposed Council Response to Consultation
Representations Report and the Supplementary Supporting Data for
Final Proposals Report, as set out at Appendices 1, 2, 3 and 4 to
the report;
 
(ii)  Agree the licensing
designations and proposal for a five-year Borough-wide Selective
Licensing Scheme, as detailed in Appendix 5 to the report, and to
submit the application to the Secretary of State for the Department
of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC);
 
(iii)  Agree to introduce a
five-year Additional Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation
(HMO’s) Scheme across all wards;
 
(iv)  Agree that the
Borough-wide Selective Licensing Scheme shall be cited as the
London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Designations for Areas for
Selective Licensing 2024;
 
(v)  Agree that the Additional
Licensing of HMO’s Scheme shall be cited as the London
Borough of Barking & Dagenham Designation of an Area for
Additional Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation 2024;
 
(vi)  Agree the licence fee
structure as set out at Appendix 7 to the report and delegate
authority to the Operational Director, Enforcement and Regulatory
Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Enforcement
and Community Safety, to periodically review the fee structure and
determine any change for the duration of the Selective and
Additional HMO licensing schemes;
 
(vii)  Agree the proposed licence
conditions that shall accompany any granted Selective Licence in
Designations 1-3, as set out in Appendix 5 to the report.
 
(viii)  Agree the proposed licence conditions
that shall accompany any granted Additional HMO Licence, as set out
in Appendix 6 to the report; and
 
(ix)  Delegate authority to the
Operational Director, Enforcement and Regulatory Services, to:
 
a) 
agree the final application requesting confirmation
of the Selective Licensing designation from DLUHC;
b) 
agree minor changes to the proposed implementation
and delivery of the schemes, including their general administration
and any changes to licence fees and conditions where necessary, in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community
Safety; and
c) 
ensure that all statutory notifications are carried
out in the prescribed manner for the licensing
designations.