The Selective Licensing Scheme makes it mandatory to licence a property with the council and meet the required licensing conditions, for any landlord renting a property to:
- a single-family household, or
- a household occupied by no more than 2 unrelated sharers
The scheme comes into force on Monday 2 September 2024 in the following wards:
- Knights Hill
- Streatham Hill East
- Streatham Common and Vale
- Streatham St. Leonards
If your property falls into this category, you will need to make an application online now.
Apply for the Selective Licensing Scheme
The Selective Licensing Scheme will:
- help to identify poorly performing landlords, letting and managing agents
- improve the health and safety of tenants
- help landlords raise their standards
- improve the physical condition of private rented properties
- support good landlords
- help tackle neighbourhood problems
The scheme will also complement the existing property licensing schemes that are already in place for properties rented as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
For information on the consultation that took place at the beginning of the year to introduce the scheme to Lambeth, please visit have your say on licensing privately rented properties in Lambeth.
Definition of a single-family household
A single-family household is defined as members of the same family living together. This can include:
- couples married to each other or living together as husband and wife (or in an equivalent relationship in the case of persons of the same sex)
- relatives living together, including parents, grandparents, children (and stepchildren), grandchildren, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces or cousins
- half-relatives (who will be treated as full relatives)
- foster children living with a foster parent or parents
- single persons
Please note: A group on one tenancy agreement does not necessarily mean that it is a single household.
Fees
The fee per licence is £923.
This fee is broken down into 2 parts:
- Part A (£650) for administration of the application
- Part B (£273) for managing and enforcing the licensing scheme
Discounts
Discounts will be determined on receipt of a full application and all supporting documents and will be applied if you:
Have an EPC rating of C or better
A £50 discount will be applied to Part B fee for an EPC rating of C or better.
We support the move to improve energy efficiency across properties in Lambeth, which contributes to our climate change agenda and helps to keep the cost of living down by reducing heating bills.
Are an accredited landlord
A £75 discount will be applied to Part B fee for accredited landlords.
We recognise landlords that have demonstrated a proactive approach through accreditation, gaining knowledge, training, skills, and intentions to manage properties and tenancies in line with best practice of the accreditation.
You must be accredited under one of the following schemes:
- London Landlord Accreditation Scheme (LLAS)
- National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA)
- UK Association of Letting Agents (UKALA)
Or, you must be a member of one of the following schemes:
- Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- Safeagent
Are a landlord who has more than one flat in a block
You will be subject to the full Part A and Part B fees for flat 1, and a £100 discount in Part A fees only for all subsequent flats in the same block.
Contact us
If you are a landlord, managing agent or a tenant and wish to enquire whether your property is affected by the additional licensing designation, please contact us by email at PRSLicensing@lambeth.gov.uk or by post at:
PRS Licensing Team
London Borough of Lambeth
PO Box 80771
London
SW2 9QQ