Havering Council will introduce a new selective licensing scheme for privately rented homes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It will look to help strengthen its commitment to improving housing standards and ensuring safer, better-quality accommodation for private renting tenants in parts of the borough.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
The new scheme, which\u202fwill cover seven wards: Beam Park, Harold Wood, Rainham & Wennington, Rush Green & Crowlands, Squirrels Heath, St Alban\u2019s and St Edwards, will be in place from March 2026 and will apply to all privately rented properties that are not already subject to mandatory or\u202fadditional\u202fHMO licensing. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The introduction of this expanded scheme follows the\u202fexpiry of the current selective licensing scheme, which has been in force across three wards and is due to end in January 2026.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alongside the new selective scheme, Havering will also introduce a borough-wide\u202fadditional\u202fHMO licensing scheme from March 2026. This will replace the existing\u202fadditional\u202fHMO scheme, which currently covers six wards and\u202fremains\u202fin place until January 2026. \u00a0<\/p>\n
These measures aim to tackle poor housing conditions,\u202freduce anti-social behaviour,\u202fand ensure landlords meet their responsibilities to provide safe, well-managed homes for local people\u00a0<\/p>\n
Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur priority is to help protect residents and support responsible landlords. We have some of the highest levels of private renting compared to other London boroughs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThese licensing schemes will help us raise standards, tackle poor property management, and ensure that everyone in Havering has access to safe,\u202fsecure\u202fand well-maintained homes. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMany landlords already do the right thing, but this licensing helps create a level playing field by targeting those who do not. We want those landlords who don\u2019t comply, to know we will take the strongest action against them.”<\/p>\n
You can find out more by visiting out\u00a0Landlord Licensing for Private Rented Properties\u00a0page<\/a>, calling 01708 432777 or 01708 432006 and emailing landlordlicensing@havering.gov.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n