Hackney Council are the latest local authority to introduce a compulsory license for certain rental properties in the area.

Landlords will need a mandatory or additional £950 license if the property they rent is multiple occupation (HMO) –  that is a home with three or more unrelated individuals living with shared facilities such as kitchens, bathrooms and toilets.

They will need a £500 selective license if the property is a non-HMO property located in the Brownswood, Cazenove or Stoke Newington wards.

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Those who fail to buy the license by the 3 December (2 December for selective licenses) deadline could face a financial penalty notice of up to £30,000 or an unlimited fine from the court.

They could also be fined for not adhering to the standards set out by the Council, which include being able to supply a gas safety certificate, a BS test report for any fire alarm system and details about the property’s structure and safety equipment.

The licensing laws come into force on 1 October, but Hackney are giving landlords and agents two months grace in which to submit their applications and to allow them time to fully understand the new guidelines.

The license covers a five year period and the council says the fees are to cover the cost of managing the licensing schemes, including the setup, running and enforcement. They stress the Council will not profit from the new licenses.

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