Waltham Forest, Designation Of An Area For Additional HMO Licensing
What is happening?
ONDON BOROUGH OF WALTHAM FOREST
DESIGNATION OF AN AREA FOR ADDITIONAL LICENSING
Section 56, Housing Act 2004
The London Borough of Waltham Forest ("the Authority") in exercise of its powers under section 56 of the Housing Act 2004 ("the Act") hereby designates for additional licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) as described in Annex Map 1. This designation has been made under the general approval granted under section 58 of the Act and was approved by Cabinet decision taken on 19 July 2024. The designation shall be known as the Waltham Forest Additional Licensing Scheme 2024.
Area: This designation applies to those HMOs (buildings) which are privately rented and occupied by three or more people forming two or more households who share an amenity (bathroom, kitchen). This could include amenities in blocks of flats where one or more entrances or licenses unless it is an HMO that is in a purpose-built block comprising of three or more self-contained flats. HMOs that are already subject to mandatory licensing under Part 2 of the Act will not require a further additional license.
Effective Dates: The designation comes into force on 1 April 2025 and ceases to have effect on 31 March 2030 unless the designation is previously revoked under section 60 of the Act.
Application Process: All landlords, managing agents, or tenants within the designated area should obtain advice to ascertain whether their property is affected by this designation by contacting the Private Sector Housing and Licensing team at the address below.
Contact Information: London Borough of Waltham Forest, Private Sector Housing and Licensing Team, The Annexe, Town Hall, Fellowship Square, Forest Road, London E17 4JF. For general enquiries, call 020 8496 3000 or email propertylicensing@walthamforest.gov.uk.
Additional Information: Further details regarding the designation can be found at www.walthamforest.gov.uk/private-rented-property-licensing
Consequences of Failing to Licence a Property that is Required to be Licensed:
1. The person having control of or managing a property that is required to be licensed commits an offence if they do not apply for a licence and could be subject to prosecution.
2. The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) may impose a Rent Repayment Order.
3. A tenant living in a property that is required to be licensed may apply to the First-tier Tribunal for a Rent Repayment Order.
4. The local authority may issue a civil penalty of up to £30,000.
5. Restrictions on using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 to recover possession of the property.
Portfolio holder and elected Cabinet Member
For and on behalf of London Borough of Waltham Forest
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