New regime to protect PRS tenants

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• 16 Mar

  Islington Council has agreed to a new licensing regime that will protect 3,500 tenants in the private rented sector.

  The council's executive has approved a scheme which aims to tackle high rates of poor property management in shared homes on Holloway Road and Caledonian Road. This comes after council officers surveyed houses in multiple occupation in both roads last year and found issues with over two thirds of properties, reports 24dash 

  208 homes were inspected and of this 140 had problems with fire alarms not working, neglected electrical systems and badly maintained communal areas. Other problems also included mice infestations, gas safety certificates not being issued and undersized box rooms being let.

  Under the new licensing scheme the council will be able to ensure that the HMOs are properly managed and in a reasonable condition meeting the minimum standards

  Landlords who fail to license risk prosecution and fines up to £20,000, and could be required to repay up to 12 months' rent for letting a property which should have been licensed but wasn't.

  From 1 September, HMO landlords will be required to apply to the council for a licence.

  Cllr James Murray, the council's executive member for housing and development, said: "More and more people in Islington are renting privately, and we want to help make sure they have decent homes to live in. We've been very concerned about poor management in Holloway Road and Caledonian Road, and our investigation of shared properties along those two streets found widespread problems ranging from faulty fire alarms to tiny 'shoebox' rooms being rented out. On the back of the evidence we found, we're now introducing this licensing scheme to make sure landlords are providing tenants with decent homes."

  What do you think of this? Tweet us your comments @suppsolutions

  By Laura Matthews

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