Private rented property licensing
Following public consultation, we approved two new private rented property licensing schemes in January 2020. The proposed schemes aim to improve property conditions and management standards in the private rented sector, reduce deprivation and tackle antisocial behaviour. These schemes will help us to regulate conditions, management and occupation of privately rented properties in the borough.
To view the consultation documents visit Mel Research.
Mandatory HMO licensing
Mandatory houses in multiple occupation (HMO) licensing was introduced in 2006 and required certain large HMOs to be licensed before they could be let out to tenants. From 1 October 2018, the mandatory HMO licensing scheme was extended to include properties with fewer than three storeys. You will need a mandatory HMO licence to rent out your property if it is occupied by five or more people forming more than one household who share some amenities, such as a kitchen or bathroom.
For more information see our houses in multiple occupation page.
Additional HMO licensing
A borough wide additional licensing scheme will come into effect on 1 September 2020. This will apply to properties occupied by three or more people forming more than one household who share some amenities, such as a kitchen or bathroom. These are properties that are not covered by the mandatory HMO licensing scheme.
For more information, see our houses in multiple occupation page.
Selective licensing
We approved the introduction of a selective licensing scheme to cover single family private rented homes in 14 wards (areas) across the borough. In these wards, landlords would need to have a licence for each house they rent out.
The licensing scheme now needs government approval before it can be implemented.
Designation of an area for additional licensing
Enfield Council approved the additional licensing scheme in January 2020.
Additional licensing will come into effect borough-wide on 1 September 2020. This is for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) that are privately rented and occupied by three or four people forming more than one household, and sharing amenities under one or more tenancies.
View the public notice for the designation (PDF).
Before applying for an additional HMO licence, see information on the licensing process.
Summary of response
The feedback from the consultation was carefully considered and is detailed below. Following this consideration, we do not propose to change the proposed schemes or licence fees but are proposing some amendments to licence conditions. As a result of feedback, the changes we have made are:
- The introduction of civil penalties for breaches of housing legislation as an additional enforcement tool (maximum fine of £30,000 for most severe cases)
- Provide dedicated webpages on Enfield Council's website with information for both tenants and landlords and signpost to any funding for grants (e.g. energy efficiency)
- Include resources to support tenants and landlords such as tenancy relations and antisocial behaviour officers
- Easy means of reporting substandard properties (online 'report it' form and dedicated telephone line and email)
- If there are concerns about the licence holder or management of the property, we may impose a condition requiring the licence holder to be accredited but this will be on a case by case basis if considered necessary
- Allow for one (rather than several) selective licence application for buildings where all the flats are under common ownership or management if certain criteria are met
- Propose to set up a stakeholder group involving landlords and letting agents operating in the borough to work with us on setting the guidance and information we provide to landlords
- Removal of draft condition 3.5 from the additional and selective licence conditions (external property decorative order)
- Removal of draft conditions 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 from the additional licence conditions (responsibilities for Council Tax and payment)
View the council's full response to the consultation (PDF).
Additional licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
Enfield Council's Cabinet considered and approved the additional licensing scheme.
Additional licensing will come into effect, borough-wide on 1 September 2020, for all HMOs that are privately rented and occupied by three or more people forming two or more households sharing amenities under one or more tenancies.
View the public notice for the designation (PDF).
Selective licensing
Enfield Council's Cabinet considered and approved the selective licensing scheme.
Selective licensing of this scale requires the confirmation of the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). An application will be made for approval.
You can report issues with a privately rented property confidentially to us, such as:
- overcrowding
- antisocial behaviour
- rogue landlord
- unlicensed property
- disrepair
This will help us improve the borough for everyone and hold landlords to account for poor management of private rented properties.
We will only contact you if you provide your contact details and confirm that you're happy for us to do so.
If you think a private rented property doesn't have a licence, you should check the online register before reporting.