The Royal Borough of Greenwich is taking action against unlicensed landlords to improve housing quality, reduce anti-social behaviour and make our borough safer.
In the last 12 months, the council have issued a total of 70 Civil Penalty Notices totalling over £167,000 to landlords or managing agents of properties that should be licensed.
The council are proactively investigating unlicensed properties via door knocking and in writing, so if you receive a letter (as a landlord or tenant) it’s important to take action to ensure the property is licensed to help us make sure all properties are regulated and safe.
Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement said: “It’s in every landlord’s best interest to obtain a licence that is appropriate for their property before enforcement action is taken - the conditions of the licence act as a guide for landlords, making them aware of good practice. If any tenant believes that the property that they live in is unlicensed, then it’s important they pass this concern onto their landlord to take action and to let us know.”
There are currently three licensing types for private properties in Royal Greenwich:
Mandatory HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) Licence for larger properties which are let out to five or more people from two or more households.
Additional HMO Licence for smaller properties let out to up to four people from two or more households sharing basic facilities such as a kitchen and bathroom.
Selective Licence for any property let out to one household within the Charlton Village and Riverside, Woolwich Dockyard, Woolwich Common, Shooters Hill, Plumstead Common or Plumstead and Glyndon wards. Check if your address is covered by the Selective Licensing Scheme.
It's a criminal offence to rent out a property without a licence, any landlord doing so faces an unlimited fine and prosecution.
If you’re a landlord, apply for your property licence today by visiting our online portal: greenwich.metastreet.co.uk
If you’re a private tenant, find out if your home is licensed.