Update on Local Authority HMO Licensing – March 2021

My assistant Mark has been updating our Local Authority Directory and monitoring changes.  Here is what we hope will be the first of a series of quarterly updates on HMO Licensing schemes.

The Update

Despite the COVID restrictions, a few Local Authorities have brought in new licensing schemes over the past few months.  The ones we have spotted which are currently active are as follows:

• Islington Borough Council: following a consultation, Islington has a new additional & selective licensing scheme starting from February 2021. Information for the new scheme can be found at the bottom of the page here.
• Havering Borough Council: There is a new additional and selective licensing scheme which is starting from January 2021. Information for these schemes can be found here.
• Swansea City Council: The selective and additional has been renewed and updated. The additional licensing has now included greater areas. Information for this can be found here.
• Camden Borough Council: Camden has introduced a new additional licensing scheme. Information for this can be found here.
• Denbighshire County Council: Denbighshire county has now a new additional licensing scheme which started in December 2020. Information can be found here.
• Harrow Borough Council: Harrow borough has now a new selective licensing scheme. While this is only in force on the 28^th April 2021, applications can be made from the 1^st March 2021. Information can be found here

These are the confirmed changes that have already happened. However, there are also consultations happening as well:

• Southwark Borough Council: Southwark borough’s additional & selective licensing scheme has now ended. However, they have already begun the consultation period for new schemes. Information on the consultation can be found here.
• Charnwood Council: Additional & selective licensing was approved in December 2020. However, the council are now asking for consultation on the substance of the licensing. Information can be found here.
• Westminster Borough Council: Westminster is currently exploring a borough-wide additional licensing scheme. Information on the consultation can be found here.
• Lambeth Borough Council: Lambeth council has introduced a consultation of the planned borough wide additional licensing scheme. Information can be found here.
• Manchester City Council: Manchester city Council are considering extending their selective licensing scheme. Landlords are being asked for their opinions on the areas proposed. Information can be found here.
• Oldham city council: Oldham council is proposing a new selective licensing scheme to replace the one that has recently ended. Information on this can be found here.

These are all the new schemes and consultations we have found.  However, there is no central database so you need to keep up to date with what YOUR Council is doing. Landlord Law members will find all the details we have found plus contact details for your Council on our own Local Authority Directory which you can find  here