Rental Property Licensing in Greenwich

The Royal Borough of Greenwich operates both Selective and Additional Licensing schemes for privately rented properties. These schemes are crucial for ensuring that rental homes meet specific standards and are managed effectively, providing safe and well-maintained accommodation for tenants across the borough. Landlords with properties in Greenwich must understand and comply with these regulations to avoid significant penalties.

What is Selective and Additional Licensing?

Selective Licensing applies to privately rented properties that are not already subject to mandatory HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) licensing. Its primary aim is to improve housing conditions and management standards in areas experiencing issues such as anti-social behaviour, low housing demand, or poor property conditions. Under a Selective Licensing scheme, all privately rented properties within a designated area, regardless of their size or occupancy, require a licence.

Additional Licensing extends the requirement for a licence to certain types of HMOs that are not covered by mandatory HMO licensing. While mandatory HMO licensing typically applies to properties with five or more occupants forming two or more households, Additional Licensing schemes can include smaller HMOs, such as those with three or four occupants. This helps to ensure a broader range of shared accommodations are properly managed and maintained.

Which properties need a licence in Greenwich?

In Greenwich, properties may require a licence under either the borough-wide Additional Licensing scheme or the borough-wide Selective Licensing scheme. Given that Greenwich has both borough-wide Additional and Selective schemes, a significant number of privately rented properties will fall under these regulations.

For Additional Licensing, if your property is a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) that is not already covered by mandatory HMO licensing, it is likely to require an Additional Licence. This typically includes smaller HMOs, such as those occupied by three or four tenants forming two or more households. It is essential for landlords of shared properties to verify if their specific arrangement falls under this scheme.

For Selective Licensing, all privately rented properties within the designated areas of Greenwich that are not already subject to mandatory or additional HMO licensing will require a Selective Licence. This means that if your property is rented out to a single household or two unrelated individuals, and it is located within a designated Selective Licensing area, you will need to apply for a licence. It is vital to check the specific areas covered by the Selective Licensing scheme on the Greenwich Council website.

How to check if your property needs a licence

Determining whether your property requires a licence can sometimes be complex due to the varying criteria of different schemes. To simplify this process, you can use the search function on tuxa.co.uk. By entering your property's address, you can quickly ascertain if it falls within a licensing scheme and what type of licence may be required. This tool provides a convenient way for landlords to stay compliant with local regulations.

Penalties for non-compliance

Operating a licensable property without the appropriate licence is a serious offence. Landlords found to be non-compliant face significant penalties. These can include a civil penalty of up to £30,000, or an unlimited fine if the case is taken to a magistrates' court. Furthermore, tenants of unlicensed properties may be able to reclaim up to 12 months' rent through a Rent Repayment Order. It is therefore crucial to ensure full compliance with all licensing requirements.

Apply for a licence

If you have determined that your property requires a licence, the next step is to apply directly to the Royal Borough of Greenwich Council. The council's official website will provide detailed information on the application process, required documentation, and associated fees. It is advisable to begin the application process well in advance of any deadlines to ensure continuous compliance. You can typically find application forms and guidance in the housing or private rented sector sections of the council's website.